PARIS, April 25 (Reuters) - Airbus posted

weaker than expected first-quarter operating profit and cashflow

after hiring more staff to prepare for rising aircraft demand,

but reaffirmed its financial goals for 2024 after a nervous

start to the year on industrial costs.

The world's largest planemaker also announced a higher

output target for its wide-body A350 model, of 12 a month in

2028, amid a renaissance in demand for long-haul jets.

Airbus reported 577 million euros in adjusted operating

profit, down 25% on the year, revenue of 12.83 billion and a

free cash outflow of 1.8 billion euros. Analysts were on average

expecting operating profit of 789 million euros and an outflow

of 1.3 billion euros, according to a company-compiled survey.