Airbus plans to decide soon whether to expand production capacity for its A350 wide-body aircraft as airlines seek more long-haul jets, commercial aircraft chief Lars Wagner said in Toulouse on Wednesday. The move would take output beyond the 12-aircraft-per-month rate targeted for 2028 and require a second final-assembly line and a new industrial system, subject to board approval.
Airbus currently has one A350 assembly line designed for approximately 12 to 13 aircraft per month. Wagner described higher production as inevitable because of market demand, while cautioning that the expansion would involve a significant industrial investment rather than simply accelerating the existing line.
The A350 competes primarily with Boeing’s 787 and 777 families. Airbus is also studying a stretched A350 with greater seating capacity, commonly referred to as the A350-2000, and a larger A220 variant known as the A220-500. Neither aircraft has been formally launched, with decisions expected near the start of a future five-year planning period.
The production discussion comes as Airbus works through supply-chain and delivery constraints affecting aircraft already on order, including reported shortages of fuselage components that delayed some A350 deliveries. No investment amount, second-line location, construction timetable or precise future production rate has been disclosed.