European aircraft manufacturer Airbus is responding to increased demand from its airline and lessor customers, with it increasing productivity across its commercial aircraft programmes. This includes two new assembly lines in the United States and China.
Airbus has seen demand that will see the increase of production on commercial aircraft, with an output goal of 75 Airbus A320 each month by 2027, and ensuring it can maintain on-time delivery commitments. Currently, the aircraft manufacturers’ backlog surpasses 7,000 A320 family of aircraft, which includes the Airbus A321neo and Airbus A321XLR.
More A320s Required
It’s no secret that the Airbus A320 is a fan favorite for airlines around the world, with it being the most successful narrow-body aircraft ever produced. According to Airbus, a member of the A320 family (Airbus A318, A319, A320, and A321 models), takes off or lands somewhere in the world at least every two seconds. Over the aircraft family’s lifetime, it has surpassed more than 20,000 orders from customers around the globe.
The A321 and its related models have become one of the latest industry favorites for airlines, and currently account for two-thirds of the aircraft backlog. To ensure that Airbus can meet its goal of 75 A320 family aircraft each month, the manufacturer looks to expand its industrial footprint.
A second assembly line in October 2025 was introduced in Mobile, Alabama, which, as a result, will double the production of the A320 for airlines in and around the United States. Commercial Aircraft CEO Christian Scherer explains:
To reach a monthly production rate of 75 A320 Family aircraft in 2027, we have developed a resilient, efficient, and globally diversified network, and with the launch of this second line, Mobile’s production capacity for the A320 Family is effectively doubled. In addition, we believe in operating in close proximity to our American customers and partners, whose trust we appreciate and value.”
Ensuring Resilience In Its Production Line
In Mobile, the facility has had a glow-up by undergoing a significant expansion, which has seen new double-bay hangars for the A320, alongside quad-bay hangars for the ever-popular Airbus A220. This is in addition to a new distribution center, paint shop, and an expanded delivery and welcome center.
Not only will Airbus boost its output in the United States, but also across the Pacific at its facility in Tianjin, China. With the Chinese market poised to become the world’s largest by 2030, a second production line has opened at the manufacturer’s plant in Tianjin. This additional capacity is set to ensure resilience and flexibility for the manufacturers’ A320 production. In Tianjin, the new assembly line has the latest technologies, including the use of solar panels, reclaimed water, and geothermal energy.
Paired with the overall boost in capacity for A320 production, the European aircraft manufacturer is also initiating a transformation of its customer line and delivery centre, which is all part of ensuring a smoother and consistent handover experience for its customers.
The A320’s Success
The A320 is a jewel in the Airbus crown and has been successful thanks to a myriad of factors, which have included its ease of use and innovative fly-by-wire technologies. The flexibility of this aircraft family, alongside operational efficiency, has become a fan favorite for airlines across the globe. Onboard comfort and its ability to mold to both full-service and low-cost customers have aided the airplane family to remain competitive in the aircraft market.
Additional investment by Airbus, not only for its plants in China and the United States, but also across its network in Toulouse (France) and Hamburg (Germany), has enabled the manufacturer to ensure that they are fully prepared to manage the growing list of orders.
The Airbus order book has a backlog of more than 8,600 aircraft (partially from its popular Airbus A330 and A350 models); however, more than 7,000 of these are for the A320 family. Highlighting the immense demand for this popular narrow-body aircraft. The world’s largest operators of the A320 family of airplanes include (but are not limited to) American Airlines, China Eastern, and IndiGo.
