Airbus to increase A330 production rate

Airbus has confirmed it will raise the production rate for its A330 Family to ten aircraft a month from the second quarter of 2013.

Currently Airbus turns out eight A330 Family aircraft each month. This monthly rate will increase to nine in early 2012, before reaching rate ten in the second quarter of 2013.

 “We are increasing the production rate for the A330 Family due to the strong market demand for the aircraft,” said Tom Williams, Airbus’ Executive Vice President Programmes. “In the long-range, mid-size category, the A330 is the right aircraft for airlines worldwide.”

The A330 is not only a popular passenger airliner but also a Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft, a VIP aircraft and also a freighter.

The A330 MRTT achieved civil and military certification in 2010. Currently five are flying with a further four undergoing conversion. Delivery of the first two aircraft to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) is in the final stages. It is planned to deliver five A330 MRTTs to three customers in the course of this year.

2010 has also seen five deliveries of the brand new freighter variant to three customers as a first step towards satisfying a market of some 400 new build mid-size freighters over the next 20 years.

The A330 is one of the most widely used widebody aircraft in service today, with one taking off each minute every day. To date, Airbus has won over 1,100 orders for the different models of the aircraft. Some 750 A330s have already been delivered and the aircraft is currently flying with 90 operators worldwide in 50 countries.

Boeing rolls out 1000th Boeing 767

Boeing last week celebrated the rollout of its 1,000th 767 airplane.

The 1,000th airplane is a 767-300ER (extended range) passenger model for ANA (All Nippon Airways) and was the final 767 to complete assembly on the current production line.

Final production work already is underway on the 1,001 unit in a new, smaller bay that repositions the production line toward a leaner, more efficient operation.

Boeing has offered the 767 as the platform for its NewGen Tanker if it wins the U.S. Air Force KC-X Tanker competition. A decision on the contract award is expected early this year.

Jim Albaugh, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said, “As we salute the 1,000th 767, the next 767 is already being built in a new bay where we can produce airplanes much more efficiently for years to come. We hope many of the new 767s will become U.S. Air Force tankers built right here.”

The 767 family includes three passenger models – the 767-200ER, 767-300ER and 767-400ER – and a medium-widebody freighter, which is based on the 767-300ER fuselage.