New A350 production increase confirmed

Lars Wagner, director general of Airbus Commercial Aircraft, confirmed during a press meeting in Toulouse that the company plans to increase the production rate of the A350 family beyond the 12 units scheduled by 2028. The move is described as unavoidable, driven by strong market demand for more aircraft.

Industrial changes required for faster production

Wagner explained that achieving the higher production rate will require significant changes to the industrial system supporting the A350. This may involve setting up a second final assembly line or creating a much more efficient production setup than the current one.

Extended A350 version under development

The company is also working on an extended version of the A350-1000, requested by major clients. Wagner said the design is being studied, and economic plans are being prepared, with demand expected in the middle of the next decade, possibly even earlier.

Efficiency and competition drive decisions

The push for higher production rates is happening alongside the development of the extended A350 to avoid duplicating industrial efforts. Airbus will soon make two major decisions: reducing delivery delays and improving competitiveness against Boeing’s 777-9 and 777-8F models in the coming decade.

A350 still has room to grow

Wagner noted that the A350 has not yet reached full industrial and commercial maturity, indicating that there is still potential for further development and optimization of the aircraft and its production processes.