Why Airbus is Pushing A320neo Production to a Record Rate of 75

Airbus has confirmed its ambitious plan to increase the Airbus A320neo production rate.

The manufacturer is aiming for a record monthly production rate 75 of its A320 Family aircraft. This target is set to be reached by 2027. The move is a direct response to unprecedented global demand from airlines. It will require a significant expansion of the company’s industrial system.

Driving the Production Ramp-Up

Strong market forces are driving this Airbus production ramp-up. The A320neo family backlog currently stands at over 7,000 aircraft. This represents more than a decade of production at current rates.

This massive order book is the primary reason for the accelerated schedule. The A320neo Family is the backbone of the company's commercial aircraft division. It accounts for the vast majority of its total orders.

The A321neo Demand Factor

The largest member of the family, the A321neo, is a key driver. It is proving to be immensely popular with airlines. The A321neo, including the Long Range (LR) and Extra Long Range (XLR) variants, accounts for approximately two-thirds of the A320 Family order book.

This high A321neo demand is reshaping production priorities. The aircraft offers superior capacity and range. This makes it an ideal narrowbody aircraft for many global routes.

Industrial Expansion and Global Footprint

To achieve the monthly production rate 75, Airbus is expanding its global industrial footprint. The company is adding capacity across its Final Assembly Lines (FALs).

Key expansions include:

• A second A320 Family FAL in Mobile, Alabama, USA.
• A second A320 Family FAL in Tianjin, China.
• Converting the former A380 FAL in Toulouse into a second A321-capable line.

These new facilities are designed to be A321-ready. This allows Airbus to shift production based on real-time airline needs.

Supply Chain and Industry Impact

Despite the ambitious targets, the ramp-up faces significant challenges. The most pressing issue remains the Airbus supply chain challenges.

• Engine Constraints: Issues with engine deliveries from suppliers like CFM International and Pratt & Whitney continue to be a constraint.
• Aerostructures: Delays and quality issues with aerostructures and other components have also impacted delivery schedules.

Airbus has had to adjust its aircraft delivery targets in the past due to these issues. The goal of rate 75 by 2027 represents a more gradual ramp-up than initially planned.

For airlines, a successful ramp-up is critical. A higher Airbus A320neo production rate means shorter waiting times for new, fuel-efficient aircraft. This is essential for fleet renewal and meeting post-pandemic traffic growth. The narrowbody aircraft market remains tight. Delays force carriers to keep older, less efficient jets in service longer.

In 2025, Airbus delivered 793 commercial aircraft. This included 607 A320neo Family jets. The company is targeting around 900 total deliveries for 2026.

The success of the Airbus production ramp-up will determine the pace of fleet modernization for global carriers like IndiGo and other major A320neo operators. The entire aerospace ecosystem, from component suppliers to maintenance providers, must align to support this historic production volume.

Get breaking commercial aviation news and expert airline analysis at flying.flights.