Airbus has announced the creation of 6,000 new jobs globally, including 450-550 expected to come to its Broughton, Wales wing assembly plant.

This news comes as aircraft production increases. Commercial aircraft production for the A320 family is progressing towards a monthly rate of 65 aircraft by summer 2023.

Following an analysis of global customer demand as well as an assessment of the industrial ecosystem’s readiness, the company is now working with its suppliers and partners to enable monthly production rates of 75 in 2025.

Airbus will meet the higher production rates by increasing capacity at its existing industrial sites, including those in the UK. Facility investments will include £100m for Broughton.

The company also says it will grow the industrial footprint in Mobile, US, and invest to ensure that all commercial aircraft assembly sites are A321-capable.

For the A321XLR, Airbus continues to work towards a first flight by the end of Q2 2022. Initially planned for the end of 2023, the entry-into-service is now expected to take place in early 2024 in order to meet certification requirements.

Chief executive officer, Guillaume Faury, commented on the latest financial results: “These Q1 results reflect a solid performance across our commercial aircraft, helicopter and defence businesses. Our 2022 guidance is unchanged, even though the risk profile for the rest of the year has become more challenging due to the complex geopolitical and economic environment.

On the A320 production ramp-up, Faury said: “Looking beyond 2022, we see continuing strong growth in commercial aircraft demand driven by the A320 Family. As a result we are now working with our industry partners to increase A320 family production rates further to 75 aircraft a month in 2025. This ramp-up will benefit the aerospace industry’s global value chain.”

www.airbus.com