Mayor Says Airbus May Increase Production In US

Airbus is likely to increase aircraft output at its US factory in Mobile beyond its current four-a-month target, the mayor of the Alabama city said.

Airbus has said it could produce up to eight A320-family aircraft a month at the plant, which opened last month, an increase that would help Airbus work through its large backlog of orders, Mayor Sandy Stimpson said in an interview.

Stimpson said he based his view on public statements by Airbus and conversations with Airbus officials, not special knowledge of Airbus plans.

An Airbus spokeswoman said the company plans to build four A320-family aircraft a month at the factory by 2017, and there were "currently no plans to change that rate."

Airbus has a backlog of 5,502 orders for A320-family planes, or nearly 11 years of production. Airlines ordering new planes face a long wait for them, and both Airbus and Boeing plan to increase rates to help shorten delivery times.

"Because of the backlog, they've got to figure out a way to increase production," Stimpson said of Airbus.

Airbus, which also builds A320s in France, Germany and China, has said the newest plant in Mobile will be its most efficient. It plans to increase global A320 production to 46 a month next year from 42 now.

Boeing also plans to lift its 737 production rate to 47 a month in 2017 from 42 currently.