Airbus is on track to deliver a backlog of 400 commercial aircraft, including both single-aisle and wide-body models, to Malaysia within the agreed contractual timeline, according to Wouter van Wersch, Airbus Executive Vice President of International. Van Wersch highlighted that Airbus has a global order backlog of 8,500 aircraft and plans to produce 770 aircraft across all models in 2024.
Speaking at the Airbus media roundtable today, van Wersch emphasized the importance of close collaboration with suppliers to achieve these production targets. “We are working closely with our suppliers to mitigate challenges and meet our scheduled ramp-up goals,” he said.
Airbus’s aircraft production was significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, with output reduced by 40% from 863 units in 2019. However, production has steadily increased, reaching 566 aircraft in 2020, 611 in 2021, 661 in 2022, and 735 in 2023. The company plans further production increases, with a target of 14 units per month for the A220 by 2026, 75 units per month for the A320 family by 2027, and 12 units per month for the A350 by 2028.
“The COVID-19 pandemic was a major disruption, reducing our production by 40%. However, we are now focused on ramping up and increasing our production rates, which is very positive,” van Wersch added.
The recovery in demand post-pandemic has been particularly strong in the Asia-Pacific region, especially in Malaysia, due to its strategic location in ASEAN. Airbus maintains a significant presence in Malaysia, working with 14 local companies, including Composites Technology Research Malaysia (CTRM), Spirit Aerosystems Malaysia Sdn Bhd, and SME Aerospace Sdn Bhd. The Malaysian supply chain is valued at approximately $350 million annually.
Currently, Airbus has over 280 commercial aircraft in service with Malaysian carriers, nearly 100 civil and military helicopters, four military transport aircraft, and two satellites supporting national defense and development.
Looking ahead, Airbus is keen to establish new partnerships in the sustainability sector, recognizing Malaysia’s potential as a key source of feedstock for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in the region. “We are studying current feedstocks, such as algae oil and seaweed, and collaborating on a wide range of projects in Malaysia, particularly with the Aerospace Malaysia Innovation Centre, to explore opportunities for decarbonization,” van Wersch said.
Airbus is also leading efforts to ensure a sustainable future for the aviation industry, focusing on several key areas: replacing older aircraft with newer, more efficient models, increasing the production and use of SAF, and eventually introducing new energy sources like hydrogen.
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