Airbus sticks with plan to raise jet output, shares rise

Airbus Thursday confirmed plans to raise production of its most-sold jets as airlines begin an uneven recovery from the pandemic, despite setbacks in Europe and a rapidly worsening wave of infections in India. Unveiling a stronger than expected turnaround in Q1 profit, CEO Guillaume Faury said domestic air travel is rebounding in China and the US while cross-border travel is likely to remain weak for some time. Conflicting policies on quarantines, lockdowns and testing have disrupted Europe’s single aviation market: one reason why Faury said he remained cautious even while planning to raise output in the second half to serve travel demand elsewhere. “The lack of coordination of the measures taken primarily in Europe....is leading to a travel situation that is far worse in Europe than in other comparable markets,” Faury said. “That is a concern and headwind for the recovery in aviation.”<br/>