Airbus doubles down on ambitious production surge with new U.S. and China assembly lines as airlines scramble for delivery slots on world’s most popular jet.
European aircraft manufacturer Airbus is betting big on a production surge that will test the limits of the commercial aviation industry, targeting output of 75 A320 aircraft each month by 2027 as it works through a backlog exceeding 7,000 orders for its popular narrow-body jets.
The aggressive timeline depends on new assembly lines now coming online in Mobile, Alabama, and Tianjin, China, which Airbus says will create a more resilient global manufacturing network. The expansion comes as airlines worldwide compete for delivery slots on the A320 family, which includes the A321neo and the long-range A321XLR.
Airbus inaugurated its second Mobile assembly line in October 2025, effectively doubling Mobile’s production capacity for the A320 series. The Alabama facility now features new double-bay hangars for the A320, quad-bay hangars for the A220, an expanded paint shop and an upgraded delivery center.
“To reach a monthly production rate of 75 A320 Family aircraft in 2027, we have developed a resilient, efficient, and globally diversified network, and with the launch of this second line, Mobile’s production capacity for the A320 Family is effectively doubled,” Commercial Aircraft CEO Christian Scherer said. “In addition, we believe in operating in close proximity to our American customers and partners, whose trust we appreciate and value.”
The A320 family has become the most successful narrow-body aircraft program in history. According to Airbus, an A320 family aircraft takes off or lands somewhere in the world at least every two seconds. Over its lifetime, the program has surpassed 20,000 orders from customers globally.
The A321 and related variants have emerged as industry favorites, currently accounting for two-thirds of Airbus’s A320 backlog. The shift reflects airline demand for larger, more efficient single-aisle jets that can serve both dense domestic routes and select long-haul markets.
Airbus is also expanding at its Tianjin, China, facility, where a second production line incorporates solar panels, reclaimed water systems and geothermal energy. The company operates additional production sites in Toulouse, France, and Hamburg, Germany.
The manufacturer’s total backlog stands at more than 8,600 aircraft, including orders for the A330 and A350 wide-body models, though the A320 family represents more than 7,000 of those orders. The world’s largest operators of the A320 family include American Airlines, China Eastern and IndiGo.
The production increase aims to ensure Airbus can maintain on-time delivery commitments while meeting sustained demand from airlines and leasing companies. The company has undergone what it describes as a transformation of its delivery centers to provide a smoother handover experience for customers.
The A320’s success stems from operational efficiency, fly-by-wire technology and flexibility that allows the aircraft family to serve both full-service and low-cost carriers. The jets’ reputation for passenger comfort and adaptability has kept them competitive in a market where airlines carefully weigh operating costs against capacity needs.
Key Points
- Airbus targets production of 75 A320 aircraft monthly by 2027 to address a backlog exceeding 7,000 orders for its narrow-body jets.
- The company doubled U.S. production capacity with a second Mobile, Alabama, assembly line opened in October 2025, while expanding operations in Tianjin, China.
- The A321 and related variants now account for two-thirds of Airbus’s A320 backlog, reflecting airline preference for larger, more efficient single-aisle aircraft.
- The A320 family has generated more than 20,000 lifetime orders, with American Airlines, China Eastern and IndiGo among the largest operators.
