AerCap CE questions durability of jet makers' output plans

The head of aircraft leasing group AerCap Tuesday expressed confidence in airline demand despite a slowdown in the aerospace business cycle, but questioned the durability of plans by Airbus and Boeing for some output increases. CE Aengus Kelly said he expected Airbus and Boeing would follow through on plans to lift narrowbody production to around 60 jets a month, but doubted this could be sustained for long. Boeing and Airbus have set out plans to increase production of best-selling models by 30% near the end of the decade. Boeing will increase production of its 737 family to 57 a month in 2019, while Airbus aims to boost its competing A320 family to 60 a month in mid-2019. "If the market isn't there, they aren't going to produce them. I think it is a struggle to see 60 a month on a long-term, permanent basis," Kelly said. <br/>