When an Airbus aircraft completes the production process, the all- important moment comes for its handover to the customer. This occurs at one of the five worldwide Airbus Delivery Centres co-located with the company’s final assembly lines in France, Germany, China the U.S. and Canada.
The all-important
moment for a customer
The handover may be to the purchasing airline or via a company that has leased the aircraft to its client.
Before taking delivery and formally signing for the title transfer, the customer carries out a complete and detailed aircraft check. It is represented by experts whose assignment is to verify the airplane’s conformity with contractual specifications. They are assisted by the Airbus delivery team in a meticulous, and well-defined process.
Airbus also keeps the customer apprised of the airplane’s status during production, from major component build-up to final assembly painting and cabin furnishing, confirming that terms of the contract have been met. Offices and related accommodations are available at the delivery facilities so that customer representatives can be temporarily located on-site, if desired.
Final validations
before the handover
The delivery phase typically is performed during four or five days, depending upon the aircraft type.
A standard delivery includes:
- Ground checks – External surfaces and paint, bays and cabin visual inspection, static aircraft system and cockpit checks, engine tests;
- Acceptance flight – Checks aloft of all systems (including the passenger cabin), and aircraft behaviour in the entire flight envelope;
- Physical rework or provision of solutions – If necessary for any open technical or quality issues.
Once all the checks have been completed, it is time to proceed to the technical closure of the aircraft. The documents attesting the aircraft’s compliance to the type certificate and conformity to technical specification are signed, allowing the issuance of the Certificate of Airworthiness.
The final steps are transfer of the aircraft ownership to the customer and preparation of the aircraft for the ferry flight to its home base.
Latest deliveries
Flight above Bogota city
A350 World Tour in America
Flight above Sydney
Learn more about the life cycle of an aircraft
