The company, which is multinational but has its biggest base in France, also said it plans to increase the number of A320neo planes it makes to 67 a month by 2023, while it is currently aiming to make 63 a month by 2021,The A320neo, a single-aisle jet, is the main competitor plane for Boeing's 737 Max, which has been grounded around the world since March after two fatal crashes killed 346 people, costing Boeing and airlines billions.
Airbus is still running about six months behind schedule on deliveries of its narrow-body planes, which includes the A320neo, the company's CEO Guillaume Faury said at the company's earnings news conference on Thursday, the Journal reported. Faury said that he did not see Boeing's struggles bringing about a short-term benefit for Airbus because the crisis with the Max impacts the industry's safety ratings and perception.