Dial back optimism
The decision marks a retreat from the optimism shown in October, when Airbus told suppliers to prepare for a sharp increase in narrow-body rates in the second-half of 2021. Since then, fast-spreading variants of the virus have sent case counts soaring, despite the start of vaccine rollouts. Tightened borders have forced airlines to pull back on schedules, raising concerns that a hoped-for summer rebound in air travel will be delayed.
Sandy Morris, an analyst at Jefferies, said the impact on 2021 deliveries from the adjustment should be modest, while Rob Stallard at Vertical Research Partners said any increase in production was "an encouraging sign" in the circumstances.