Feature story

New A320neo orders and commitments announced during the Dubai Airshow provided an opportunity for customers to speak about why they selected the enhanced, new engine option version of Airbus’ best-selling A320 jetliner family:

Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Airways CEO, announcing the airline’s firm contrac...

Air freight traffic is expected to almost triple over the next 20 years, leading to a nearly doubling of the worldwide cargo aircraft fleet during this period and creating the demand for an estimated 834 new factory-built aircraft -- with the largest market segment being mid-sized freighters in the ...

The demand for military transport aircraft and aerial tankers in the Middle East and North Africa during the next 10 years is expected to create a potential market for an estimated 117 new aircraft, with the primary category being light/medium airlifters in the class of Airbus Military’s twin-engine...

Abu Dhabi’s goal of creating a world-class aviation industry is moving closer to reality with the assistance of Airbus and its EADS parent company in a cooperation that includes the manufacture of airframe components – called aerostructures – in both composite and metallic materials. 

Creatin...

Airbus’ growing presence in the Middle East – both in terms of market share and industrial cooperation – will be highlighted during the 2011 Dubai Airshow with the company’s high-profile participation at this five-day event.

With more than 770 aircraft booked in the region by Airbus, most major Mid...

Airbus pre Final Assembly Line (FAL) activities have started although with some delay due to the late availability of some key composite and detailed parts. The start of the FAL is now scheduled for the first quarter of 2012. Entry into service is now rescheduled to first half 2014 to ensure smooth ...

Taiwan-based carrier EVA Air has unveiled its first A330-300 jetliner, which includes a special livery featuring legendary Japanese cartoon character and pop culture icon Hello Kitty.

A new technique that has the potential of revolutionizing current-generation production methods is being evaluated for use across Airbus, with such technology demonstrators as struts and pipes already made, and the first A350 XWB component – a door bracket for the A350-1000 – now in manufacture.

A third A320 Family final assembly line (FAL) has opened in Hamburg, Germany as Airbus continues the overall production rate ramp-up for its best-selling single-aisle product line to 42 aircraft per month next year – marking a new industrial record.

The flight operations consulting services of Quovadis will be used in a challenging new setting with the Airbus subsidiary’s selection to design Required Navigation Performance (RNP) approach procedures for Atlantic Airways, flag carrier of the Faroe Islands.

Airbus is teaming up with the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) and Qatar Airways to further improve operational safety at Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport, which is well known for its challenging surrounding terrain.

The Airbus Concept Plane is making its Asian public debut as part of an exhibition celebrating 100 years of aviation in Singapore, which is being held at the island nation’s Changi Airport.

In support of the United Nations (UN) decade of biodiversity Airbus transported a metal art sculpture by David Vanorbeek, a Belgian artist based in the South of France, close to the Airbus headquarters in Toulouse. Airbus used its internal road transport system to bring...

Airbus’ A320 Family final assembly line in China is gearing up for a “changing of the guard” as the facility’s first generation of managers prepare a planned and structured handover of responsibilities to their successors.

Production on a key component in the A350 XWB’s initial horizontal tail plane has begun, marking a new industrial milestone for Airbus’ new-generation widebody jetliner family.

As part of its ongoing commitment for a “greener” environment, Airbus has introduced new technologies and processes to reduce the amount of harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released during aircraft production.

The overall reduction of CO2 emissions is a vital component for eco-efficiency, which is why Airbus and many of its employees are doing their part to reach ambitious targets set for the company’s blue5 environmental initiative.

Airbus’ priority commitment for conserving and creating energy is being expanded with ambitious targets of its blue5 environmental initiative – which is part of a company-wide effort at its parent, EADS.

Waste is a facet of business for all large corporations. However, through carefully planned reduction models and high-quality management, significant strides can be made.

How water is treated, moved and disposed of has a significant effect on the environment, which is why Airbus facilities in Germany and France are utilising alternative water sources and technologies as part of the company’s blue5 initiative to further improve its eco-efficiency.

The Airbus-sponsored "eGenius" electric concept demonstrator aircraft today performed its maiden flight in a programme to examine the long-term potential of electricity as a major onboard energy source for air transport.

Airbus will underscore the unrivalled passenger comfort provided by its full range of corporate aircraft with a high-profile presence at next week’s Annual European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) in Geneva, Switzerland.

Leveraging the advantages of international cooperation has been a key component of Airbus’ success, and will continue to play a pivotal role in the company’s business operations moving forward.

For the first time ever, Airbus will bring its 21st century flagship A380 to Russia’s leading aerospace exhibition and air show – MAKS – which is set to take place 16-21 August at Moscow’s Zhukovsky Airport.

With increased commercial activity and new programme milestones, Airbus’ A330 jetliner continues to underscore its popularity within the civil aviation sector – while its freighter and tanker derivatives demonstrate their capabilities for cargo and aerial refuelling applications around the world.

Airbus is underscoring its continued support of eco-efficient technologies for commercial aviation with the company’s high-level sponsorship of a new electric concept aircraft – which was unveiled at this week’s AERO Friedrichshafen 2011 industry event in Germany.

Airbus’ excellence in cabin design, innovation and efficiency was on display at this month’s Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, Germany, where the company unveiled a space-saving rear lavatory and galley concept for its best-selling A320 Family of jetliners.

Airbus is underscoring its commitment to eco-efficiency with the construction of two highly energy-efficient office buildings in Toulouse, France, which will accommodate 320 employees from the A350 XWB programme and development teams beginning in October.

Airbus will consolidate its presence in the United Kingdom with the redevelopment of a site into a modern, highly-efficient engineering and technology facility, accommodating more than 2,500 of the company's employees in engineering, design, customer support and other sectors.

Airbus Military has provided the go-ahead for industrial launch of its next-generation A400M airlifter, which will lead to production of the first four series aircraft during 2012.

Working in partnership with CAE of Canada, Airbus Training India has inaugurated its flight training facility in Bangalore, India - further underscoring the company's increased presence in one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets.

During a special lunch held onboard an A330 jetliner, Airbus confirmed the rapid service times provided by its SPICE (SPace Innovative Catering Equipment) galley system – including a 50 per cent reduction in food preparation time when compared to industry standards.

The continuing worldwide success of Airbus’ jetliner product line was underscored by Virgin America’s latest fleet expansion contract, which brought the total commercial orders above the 10,000 mark and further strengthened the A320 Family’s competitive position.

As part of its on-going support of alternative fuel research, Airbus has partnered with Lufthansa to launch the first daily commercial passenger flights using bio-fuels – which are a key component to reducing the air transport sector’s carbon footprint.

As part of Airbus’ continued alternative fuel research, a TAM Airlines A320 has completed a milestone flight using Jatropha-based biofuel – the widespread use of which could significantly reduce the air transport sector’s overall carbon footprint.

Developed collaboratively by Airbus’ test and design office teams, the MOdular Simulator for Airbus Research Tests (MOSART) is significantly reducing the time needed to test technologies for the cockpits of tomorrow.

Airbus is using data from its Production Aircraft Test System and additional problem analysis tools to optimise performance of its A318, A319 and A320 jetliners.

Airbus was a key contributor during this year's Aviation and Environment Summit in Geneva, Switzerland, which centered on air transport’s efforts to reduce overall carbon emission levels.

These operators – located in America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East – offer the A318 Elite, Airbus Corporate Jetliner and A320 Prestige for private charter, highlighting their appeal and success for high-end business and VVIP transportation.

Six beehives with 360,000 bees located around Finkenwerder airfield at Airbus’ Hamburg, Germany plant are supplying important data on the environment.

A standardised testing method developed by Airbus expert Dr. Robert Kebel is leading to more aircraft being cleared for the use of mobile phones during flight.

Already in operation in South Africa and Mexico, Airbus’ universal GENETI platform can reduce flight test installation time by as much as 50 per cent.

Another Airbus facility has begun production of A350 XWB components as the Advanced Composites Centre in Illescas, Spain unveils the jetliner’s lower wing cover and fuselage Section 19.

Airbus President and CEO Tom Enders acted as a spokesperson for the aviation industry at the World Economic Forum’s first-ever Ministerial Meeting on Innovation and Sustainable Growth in Tianjin, China.

Airbus is continuing its proven track record of innovation in aircraft production with a new flight-test campaign to evaluate an A350 XWB fuselage panel made from carbon fibre reinforced plastic.

Airbus' Digital Cabin Logbook is a new-generation solution that reduces operating costs, simplifies workloads and enhances maintenance efficiency.

Aegean Airlines of Greece has adopted Airbus' FANS-B+ retrofit solution for the upgrading of its A320 Family aircraft, which will enable the exchange of data with air traffic control – a requirement of Europe's upcoming Data Link Services Implementing Rule.

OnAir has been given the spotlight by CNBC Business magazine, which applauded the company’s ground-breaking technology which offers airline customers in-flight access to both mobile phones and high-speed Internet.

Airbus’ strong performance in North and Latin America has been underscored by a wave of orders and commitments announced during July, which includes agreements with both new and existing customers.

With a flexible conversion kit installed by the Airbus Corporate Jet Centre, the A320 now can be seamlessly transitioned between VIP and commercial operations in its corporate jet role.