New A320s? Don’t hold your breath

Published 9:00 pm Wednesday, January 11, 2006

Airbus CEO Gustav Humbert contradicted his boss today, saying that it will likely be 2015 before Euro jet builders replace their top-selling A320 single-aisles.

You may recall that just this week, EADS co-chairman Noel Forgeard — the former Airbus CEO — announced in Paris that Airbus was working on a new all-composite jet to counter Boeing’s 737 and replace the A320. (See “Nervous in Toulouse” below.)

According to the Associated Press: “Forgeard declined to say when the introduction of the new planes was planned but described the composite research as ‘a challenge for 2008-2009.’”

But according to Reuters http://msnbc.msn.com/id/10822337/, Humbert today called that “a clear misinterpretation, misunderstanding.”

Key Quote: “‘It is very clear the 320 family, as the newest technology, will for sure live at least until around 2015 … because if you want to have an all new aircraft in this category, you also need a completely new engine.’

(Humbert) added that engine manufacturers ‘will not be ready to have an all-new engine before, and enter into service, around 2015. So this was a misunderstanding. There is no quick change or quick move in terms of replacing the 320.’”

Humbert spoke at a ceremony to announce that Italian carrier AirOne had ordered 30 A320s to replace its fleet of first-generation 737s.