Airbus to maintain Tianjin manufacturing schedule

Despite a global downturn in aircraft demand and plans to trim production of the A320 family of aircraft, Airbus does not plan to change the output target at its Tianjin facility, state media reported, citing comments by Airbus China President Laurence Barron. The Airbus A320 final assembly line in Tianjin will deliver its first aircraft in June and roll out 10 more by the end of the year as scheduled, said Barron. "For the time being, we will stick to our plan (for production in Tianjin). But if things get worse and we have to progressively adjust our production rate, we may have to rethink about Tianjin," Barron said. The European aircraft manufacturer last week said it will cut production of its A320 family of aircraft from 36 to 34 a month starting in October this year, and will set aside plans to ramp up production of two other models. The Tianjin unit was set up in September last year as Airbus’s third final assembly line after France and Germany. The facility was targeted to roll out four jets a month by the end of 2011.