Airbus to increase A330 production rate to ten a month

Posted by John McHale
BLAGNAC, France, 3 Feb. 2011. Airbus 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," says Tom Williams, Airbus' executive vice president programs. "In the long-range, mid-size category, the A330 is the right aircraft for airlines worldwide."
The A330 is a passenger airliner and also can function as a Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft, as a VIP aircraft, and as 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 operators in the course of this year.