Airbus alerts enginemakers to avoid bottleneck repeat in ramp-up

Airbus is working with engine makers to scale up production as the planemaker prepares to increase output of its top-selling A320-series jets in the second half of this year and beyond. Safran, which makes engines with General Electric, is getting ready for a strong pick-up starting next year, CEO Oliver Andries said on a conference call Friday. As output gains pace for A320s and Boeing’s 737 Max models, Safran executives warned there could be “typical’ bottlenecks in supplies such as parts that need to be forged and cast. Its CFM International venture with GE makes engines for both single-aisle jets. The remarks come a day after Airbus reiterated a target to raise A320-series output later this year, saying it’s preparing for a “steep” ramp-up in 2022 and 2023. On a call, executives for the European planemaker said they’re analyzing the supply chain with special attention to engines, where some parts “are always at the edge.” Engine supplies were a limiting factor for Airbus before the coronavirus pandemic hit demand, and executives at the Toulouse, France-based planemaker said it was premature to assume that those pressures won’t reappear once activity picks up again. The downturn affected suppliers’ readiness, Andries said.<br/>