Aircraft
EU's Emissions Trading Scheme Could Cancel A330 Production Hike
Seating capacity aboard Airbus A330s might become more scarce for Chinese passengers if their government withholds orders for the twinjets, prompting Airbus to cancel a planned production rate hike. (Photo: Airbus)
Seating capacity aboard Airbus A330s might become more scarce for Chinese passengers if their government withholds orders for the twinjets, prompting Airbus to cancel a planned production rate hike. (Photo: Airbus)

Airbus could withdraw its commitment to increase A330 production to 11 aircraft per month in 2014 if there is no change to the European Union emissions trading scheme (EU-ETS), according to Tom Williams, executive vice-president of Airbus programs. Having increased A330 build rates steadily from seven to nine a month over the past five years, the European airframer has been planning to increase the rate to 10 per month next year and to 11 in 2014.