Nearly-Finished Airplanes Reportedly Stacking Up On Ramps Due To Supply Chain Issues

The ramps at Airbus' factories in Toulouse, France and Hamburg, Germany are reportedly becoming crowded with A320neo airplanes due to issues with its supply chain.

Reuters reports that Airbus is waiting for engines for the airplanes that have been delayed by production problems at Pratt & Whitney, and those delays are affecting Airbus' bottom line.

Reuters has posted photographs of engineless airplanes taken earlier this month. It says the number of airliners waiting for engines has risen to more than two dozen in France and Germany.

The report also indicates that A350 deliveries have also been delayed due to a shortage of cabin equipment, including seats and lavatory fixtures.

Both delays may lead to pressure on Airbus' cash position in the first quarter of 2016, according to industry analysts who requested anonymity.

Pratt & Whitney said it was working to resolve a software issue with the engines for the A320neo, which the company said should be shipping by this summer.

(Image from file)

FMI: www.airbus.com, www.pw.utc.com