Airbus today delivered its 500th aircraft produced in Hamburg since the opening seven years ago, near the Elbe, of the second Airbus final assembly line after Toulouse. The aircraft, with Manufacturer Serial Number (MSN) 1415 is an A319 delivered to Air France, scheduled to become the 100th Airbus single-aisle aircraft to enter service with the French carrier.
Since making its first delivery in 1994, the Hamburg delivery centre has handed over 176 A321s the first aircraft type to be built there - and 324 A319s. The first section of the family's smallest member, the A318, has already arrived in Hamburg and final assembly will take place this summer.
Following the tremendous success of Airbus' A320 Family on the market place, production rates for the entire family are being steadily ramped up, from a current 23 aircraft per month, to 30 per month by 2003.
The A320 Family comprises four versions of aircraft all based on the same fundamental design: the 107-seat A318, the 124-seat A319, the 150-seat A320 and the 185-seat A321. A320 aircraft are assembled in Toulouse, alongside the widebody A300/A310 and long range A330/A340 lines. The recently launched A380 superjumbo will undergo assembly in Toulouse and customisation in Hamburg, with deliveries taking place from both centres.
Airbus' A320 Family aircraft offers the widest fuselage in the single-aisle category, enabling passengers to benefit from wider seats and aisles. The members of this aircraft family share maximum commonality and the same Type rating, allowing airlines to minimise maintenance and training costs while maximising operational flexibility.
Airbus is jointly owned by BAE SYSTEMS (20 per cent) and EADS (80 per cent).
-ends-
Airbus Delivers Its 500th Aircraft Assembled In Hamburg
