PARIS: Airbus has shelved advanced studies aimed at improving its A320neo jet family, designed in part to fend off a mid-market plane that Boeing hopes to build, two people familiar with the matter said.The surprise decision to back away from the proposed "A320neo-plus" and "A321neo-plus," which would lengthen and modernise both models, comes as Airbus continues to face problems in increasing output for the current versions. "The ramp-up is not going as well as hoped," a person with knowledge of the supply chain said. Another said Airbus had declared industrial matters top priority amid engine shortages, calling off plans to show the A320neo-plus design to airlines. "The A321neo is an aircraft with lots of potential. It enjoys a market share of some 80 percent," the spokesman said, adding "we are under no pressure.

Source: Economic Times April 10, 2018 13:30 UTC