AIRBUS GROUP (OTCMKTS:EADSY), that will be supplying the first U.S.-built jetliner to JetBlue Airways Corporation (NASDAQ:JBLU), announced that it is running behind schedule in production. However, the former also said that it is expecting to deliver the jetliner to JetBlue on time, i.e., in Q2 2016.
The President of Airbus Americas Inc., Barry Eccleston, said that the certain parts in this project are lagging behind in production, if the original master plan is to be followed. But there is still a scope of timely delivery tot.
The problem with tools
In conversation with Reuters, the workers said that the company was around eight weeks behind schedule in a few stations because of a few issues with the tools. The President however clarified that the delay was of a few weeks and not eight in all. However, he agreed on the issue of tools. He explained that it depended upon tool to tool. Meanwhile, the AIRBUS GROUP CEO and Chairman, Allan McArtor threw the ball of delay in the court of supplier. He added that the company is flexible enough to cope up with the delays.
AIRBUS GROUP, which started its $600 million factory, is expected to construct four Airbus jetliners per month starting late 2017. The factory is set up in Alabama and it is second of its kind outside Europe. The factory claims to offer most efficient jetliners to the industry. Through these jetliners, the company is targeting to capture 50% of the U.S. market. At present, it has as many orders to take it up to 40%, an increase from 20% that it had before opening the factory in the U.S.
About the jetliner to be delivered to JetBlue
Its first ever U.S.-made A321 aircraft shall be delivered to JetBlue in Q2 2016. Second A321 shall be delivered in the second half of 2016. This is said to be the largest plane model in the family of narrow-bodied Airbus A320. It has competition with 737 of the Boeing Co (NYSE:BA).
