Feature story

As an eco-efficient enterprise, Airbus has always strived to always do more with less – a philosophy underscored by the company’s life-cycle approach, environmental management system and organisational structure.

Airbus is supporting and contributing to the smooth operation of Tibet’s high-altitude Ali Airport, which opened its operations with an A319 commercial flight from Sichuan, China.

The Airbus Corporate Jet Centre, the specialist in VIP cabin completion and associated services, has delivered a flexible conversion kit that provides multi-mission capabilities for the A320 in its corporate jet role.

Airbus has completed the latest version of its A350 XWB cockpit mock-up, which will play a vital role in the next phase of verification and validation work for the future twin-engine aircraft.

The Atlantic Interoperability initiative to Reduce Emissions (AIRE) programme, which features key participation from Airbus, aims to demonstrate future reductions in CO2 emissions using current technology.

A five-year research programme on new aircraft concepts has made important progress on several promising future technologies.

Airborne mobile telephone and wireless Internet service, offered by the OnAir company of Airbus and SITA, has been introduced for the first time by Oman Air on its A330.

The need to use an aircraft’s main engines during ground taxi may be eliminated with a new tractor developed by Israel Aircraft Industries and tested in a joint effort with Airbus.

As part of its commitment to reduce air transport’s impact on the environment, Airbus is pioneering new solutions for greener flight – and addressing key questions such as fuel burn, emissions and noise.

Eco-efficiency is designed into Airbus' new buildings at locations from the U.K. to China, with solutions that include geo-thermal systems, bio-mass powered boilers and "vegetalised roofs."

As part of its ongoing support of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity and the Green Wave, Airbus conducted an international survey of young people - revealing American youth prefer TV watching to saving the environment.

Airbus is validating a new three-dimensional process for A350 XWB electrical harness installation that would result in improved design quality, reduced costs and shorter lead times.

Optimal eco-efficiency is the goal at all Airbus production sites – including the Illescas, Spain plant, where employees have devised a simpler, faster, greener method for compacting composite material components.

The Airbus training centre in Miami, Florida is the launch customer for two new Thales Reality7 Level D full flight simulators, which will provide a cost-effective and technologically advanced training solution for the A320 Family.

Airbus has launched the pilot phase for “ACJ Exclusive,” an innovative service that offers Airbus Corporate Jet customers immediate support for all aspects of their private aircraft.

Hawaiian Airlines’ first A330 aircraft – received during a delivery ceremony yesterday at Airbus headquarters in Toulouse, France – will begin service on this U.S. Pacific-based carrier’s Honolulu-Los Angeles route in early June.

Airbus’ commitment to minimise the environmental impact of commercial jetliners throughout their life cycle is reinforced at Tarmac Aerosave, a new affiliate company that dismantles retired aircraft using eco-friendly methods.

A new production line process developed in partnership with Airbus is being tested at the company's Composite Technology Centre in Stade, Germany for use in Airbus jetliners.

The A330-200F has achieved a key certification milestone, paving the way for first delivery of Airbus’ all-new cargo aircraft to launch operator Etihad Crystal Cargo this summer.

The first of six A320 aircraft to join the AirPhil Express fleet this year is now in operation, bringing a combination of high comfort and reduced operating costs to this low-fare affiliate of Philippine Airlines.

Airbus' 21st century flagship jetliner is one step closer to service entry in China with a successful operational evaluation by the country’s civil aviation administration.

Responding to the growing market for performance-based navigation technology in China - where one-fourth of airports present challenging operational conditions - Airbus subsidiary QuoVadis has opened a new facility in Beijing.

The German national airline's initial A380 - which will enter service later this year on routes to Asia and North America - has been painted in Hamburg using Airbus' modern and eco-efficient methods.

As part of its commitment to reduce air transport’s impact on the environment, Airbus is minimising its carbon footprint and conserving energy with eco-efficient new techniques at production sites in France and Germany.

The AMOS fully-integrated maintenance information system has been chosen by the Airbus Corporate Jet Centre for its innovative VIP Pass Airworthiness Engineering Service.

Delivery of the third VVIP cabin outfitted by the Airbus Corporate Jet Centre marks a milestone for this Toulouse, France-based specialist in cabin completion and associated services.

Continuing its worldwide tour as part of the International Year of Biodiversity, the “See the bigger picture” photo exhibition will be on display near the Olympic Village in Vancouver, Canada through 21 March.

Airbus' 21st century flagship jetliner made its inaugural visit to Switzerland this month in preparation for Singapore Airlines' new A380 service to Zurich, which launches in March.

Airbus is joining Qatar Airways, Qatar Science & Technology Park, and Qatar Petroleum in a new collaborative programme to develop alternative fuels for commercial aviation.

Marking another step on its alternative fuels roadmap, Airbus will collaborate with Qatar Airways, Qatar Science & Technology Park and Qatar Petroleum in the development of second generation bio-fuels for aviation.

Airbus’ active involvement in the United Nations’ year-long environmental campaign will include a touring display of winning images from the “See the bigger picture” photo contest, as well as other activities that aim to raise awareness about the importance of Earth’s biodiversity.

Airbus' innovative galley concept earned positive feedback from airline representatives during recent focus groups, underscoring the SPICE system's simplicity, efficiency and cost advantages.

The A380 has received a Validation of Type Certificate from the Civil Aviation Administration of China, preparing the way for its future operation in this growing airline marketplace.

Seven tonnes of goodwill cargo arrived in South America last month thanks to the joint efforts of Airbus, DHL, Kuehne + Nagel and French charity Aviation Sans Frontières.

Airbus Americas Chairman Allan McArtor discussed the company’s wide-ranging commitment to greener flight and a cleaner planet at last week’s “See the bigger picture” photo contest awards ceremony.

Two young U.S. photographers joined global winners of the Airbus-sponsored “See the bigger picture” biodiversity photo contest at a red-carpet reception in Washington, D.C.

Passengers can now fly between the United States and Europe aboard Airbus’ 21st century flagship jetliner with the inauguration of Air France’s new transatlantic service.

A series of A321 demonstration flights into Stockholm’s Arlanda Airport have revealed positive results for the MINT (Minimum CO2 in Terminal Manoeuvring Area) project, which aims to improve air transport’s eco-efficiency through better air traffic management.

The latest Airbus innovation in wing aerodynamic enhancements, called Sharklets, are to result in reduced fuel burn and carbon emissions for Airbus’ benchmark A320 Family.

The Airbus Corporate Jet Centre has expanded its range of products with development of a new A320 VIP kit, which will enable the dual-role capability to transport VIPs or passengers.

A key element in the company's evolving relationship with suppliers, Airbus' new "Extended Enterprise" approach will lead to more efficient development and production for the A350 XWB and future aircraft.

Energy Days at Airbus’ Hamburg, Germany site promoted the responsible use of electrical power with simple suggestions, new ideas and unique devices.

Paris-to-New York service with Airbus’ 21st century flagship jetliner will be inaugurated later this month by Air France, which received its initial A380 on October 30.

Building on its reputation as the specialist in Airbus Corporate Jet cabin completions, the Airbus Corporate Jet Centre is offering an innovative new services package designed for ACJ customers.

More than 600 delegates gathered at the Airbus-sponsored Algae Biomass Summit in the United States to explore the potential of algae – a promising base material for the manufacture of eco-friendly bio-fuels.

Airbus' A330-200F was highlighted at this year's Cargo Facts symposium as the modern, efficient, and eco-friendly solution for air freight as the market recovers from the recession.

As the demand for maintenance mechanics and other aviation personnel grows in China, the Airbus/CASC Hua-Ou Aviation Training Centre joint venture is responding with online programmes and English language instruction.

Airbus Military North America’s new 30,000 square-foot facility at the Mobile Regional Airport will improve support for the C-212 and CN-235 tactical multi-mission aircraft..

The "demo box 2" wing demonstrator - which is more than 60 per cent of the actual A350 XWB wing's final size - is helping validate the manufacturing methods for Airbus' next-generation jetliner.

Making its mark with contributions to new aircraft development, Airbus' state-of-the-art engineering centre in Moscow is demonstrating the benefits of the company's globalisation strategy.