An Airbus spokesman declined to comment on the provisional thinking on deliveries for 2017, which would equate to production of just under seven aircraft a month. Airbus is expected to give details of its 2017 delivery plans in February.

Speaking at an event to mark the first flight of the larger A350-1000 variant last week, Airbus plane-making chief Fabrice Bregier said he was more optimistic than before about reaching a target of at least 50 A350 deliveries in 2016. Airbus delivered the 35th airplane of the year last week.

At the same time, Airbus aims to swiftly increase deliveries of the smaller A320neo, which have been held back by delays in the supply of engines from U.S.-based Pratt & Whitney.

Programs chief Didier Evrard told Reuters the supply chain had improved but remained under scrutiny.

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