Airbus, the global aircraft manufacturing giant, announced plans to expand its production significantly in Germany. The company aims to build 75 A320 family aircraft every month by 2026, with a particular focus on A321neo and the long-haul version A321XLR.
This expansion signals a strong commitment to rebounding from the pandemic-induced setbacks and underscores Airbus’s dedication to transforming air travel to be less climate-damaging.
Airbus’s ambitious production plans include increasing the monthly production of the A350 long-haul aircraft to ten and the A330 to four by 2026. Additionally, a monthly production of 14 aircraft from the A220 series is on the agenda until 2026. The emphasis on the A320 family, primarily A321s, positions it as a crucial product group for Airbus. The majority of these aircraft are assembled and delivered in Hamburg, making it a vital delivery location.
Following a period of downsizing due to the pandemic, Airbus is actively recruiting skilled workers in Germany. In Hamburg alone, 1,300 individuals joined Airbus in the current year, with several hundred more expected to be hired in 2024. The workforce expansion aligns with Airbus’s increasing production demands across various German plants.
As part of its commitment to sustainable aviation, Airbus is driving the transformation towards less climate-damaging and ultimately climate-neutral flying. The company is exploring various propulsion concepts that rely on regeneratively produced “green” hydrogen. Nicole Dreyer-Langlet, head of research and technology at Airbus in Germany, emphasizes the need for restructuring the entire aviation system to save energy and adopt measures to minimize fuel consumption.
Airbus is actively pursuing a future where hydrogen plays a central role in aviation. The company is set to present a concept in collaboration with Hamburg Airport on the use of hydrogen in aviation. The “Hydrogen Hub at Airport” network involves collaboration with airports, airlines, and energy sector companies globally, aiming to research and develop an international hydrogen infrastructure. Hamburg Airport’s participation makes it the first German airport to join this network.
