As its production heads to an unprecedented level, Airbus is undertaking a wide-ranging review of its long-term transport logistic needs ahead of evaluating an A300-600 Beluga replacement.

Pressure is building on Airbus's logistics system as the ramp-up across all the airliner programmes is coming in parallel with an increasing amount of military production including the A400M military transport and A330-based KC-45 tanker.

"Our Supply-Chain, Logistics and Transportation division is carrying out an assessment to anticipate on our needs in the context of the production ramp-up across all programmes and the globalisation of Airbus's industrial set-up - for example the assembly of A320 family in China and A330F/KC-45As in Mobile, Alabama," says Airbus.

Although there is no official deadline set for the conclusion of the study, Airbus sources indicate that it could be finalised by the year-end.

Production of the A320 family will reach 40 a month in 2010, while A380 monthly output is due to eventually settle at four. Airbus is also boosting A330/A340 production to as high as 12 a month - the level the A350 is due to reach five years after series production begins in 2013. Customer deliveries of the A400M are due to begin in 2010, with production eventually peaking at 30 aircraft a year.

"Belugas are the prime transport solution for Europe and the main evolution is towards increasing the maritime transport for intercontinental transport," says Airbus.

Airbus operates five Belugas - the first of which entered service in 1996 - and will use the outsize freighter for A350 subassembly transport. It is also used for A400M production.

The airframer does not specify whether an expansion of the Beluga fleet is among the options being studied, but does acknowledge that at some point it will have to address its replacement. "This is for the long term and we will consider their replacement in the next few years," says Airbus.

For the A380, Airbus relies mainly on specially commissioned roll-on/roll-off ships and has adopted maritime transport for the Chinese assembly line, with A320 subassemblies travelling from Hamburg to Tianjin by regular container-ship services.

Source: Flight International