Airbus has commenced production of the latest Airbus product, the A350 XWB, in Germany. The green light was jointly given at the company’s production plant in Stade by Airbus President and CEO Tom Enders, Executive Vice President Operations and Chairman of the Board of Management Airbus Germany Gerald Weber, and Parliamentary State Secretary and German government aerospace coordinator Peter Hintze.

The first German component will also be one for the record books for its size. Measuring almost 32 metres by 6 metres, the upper wing shell is the largest integrated component ever to be built by Airbus from weight-saving carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP).

“The A350 XWB sets new benchmarks for the aviation industry and passengers. Advanced materials make the new Airbus the most economical and environment-friendly aircraft in its class. We are also applying these new standards to our production with facilities and machinery operating to the highest technology and quality standards. Thanks to this leading-edge production process, we are able to achieve a very high efficiency,” says Tom Enders.

The upper wing shells will be built using advanced production processes at the 30,000 square metre production hangars in Stade. For the first time automated tape-laying technology will be used not only for the carbon fibre but also for the lightning strike protection and fibreglass components. The wing shell, measuring 31,6 m by 5,6 m, will then undergo polymerisation in the autoclave. This high-tech oven is one of the largest facilities of its kind worldwide and can accommodate two wing shells simultaneously.

In addition to laying the wing skin panels, the plant also produces the stringers (longitudinal stiffeners used in wing panels). In order to produce these components Airbus has for the first time set up a flow line production system which measures 140 metres in length.

Other innovations include an entirely new quality control system which now permits inspection of the external and internal surfaces of CFRP components of that size simultaneously. The advanced plant also boasts the use of waterjet technology for edge trimming and a high-precision automated conveyance system in the production hall for large components.

In addition to producing the upper wing shells for the A350 XWB, the Airbus Stade plant builds the vertical tailplane and, for the first time, CFRP fuselage shells. Approximately 100 employees will work in A350 XWB production by the end of 2010. This figure is expected to rise to around 500 when production reaches full capacity.

The Stade plant also has its own dedicated combined heat and power unit. This unit not only generates electricity and heat for the hangars: the emissions are used as inert gas for the autoclave and ensure fire protection. This means energy exploitation of the power unit is an exceptional 100 percent.

The A350 XWB is a new family of widebody airliners (A350-800, A350-900 and A350-1000) for which Airbus currently has 528 confirmed orders. With an airframe made of 53 percent lightweight carbon fibre composites, the aircraft has enormous fuel-saving potential. Final assembly of the A350-900 is scheduled to start in 2011, with first delivery expected in 2013.

Airbus press release 31 August 2010

EGYPTAIR has received its first Airbus A330-300 aircraft from the Airbus facility in Toulouse, France. Powered by Rolls Royce Trent 700 engines, the aircraft seats 301 passengers with 265 in Economy Class, and 36 in Business Class.

Joining EGYPTAIR’s existing Airbus fleet of 17 A320 family aircraft, seven A330-200s and three A340-200s, the new A330-300 will be the first EGYPTAIR aircraft to feature onboard communications technology, enabling passengers to benefit from in flight mobile phone services and WI-FI internet access.

“This delivery is an important milestone in the history of EGYPTAIR .We will continue to bring the latest to our customers who deserve this premium and highly competitive product” said Eng. Hussein Massoud, Chairman and CEO of EGYPTAIR Holding Company. He added “we are determined on the ambitious plan for fleet expansion and modernisation.”

Captain Alaa Ashour, the Chairman and CEO of EGYPTAIR Airlines, who flew the new aircraft himself to Cairo said “the delivery of the first Airbus A330-300 will add value to our customers and launches new services for the first time in EGYPTAIR.”

“We are proud to be partnering with EGYPTAIR as they launch their new onboard communications offering on the A330,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. “Passengers can now use these innovative services from the unparalleled comfort of the A330 cabin whilst the airline will benefit from the excellent reliability and economics offered by the aircraft.”

Airbus aircraft share a unique cockpit and operational commonality, allowing airlines to use the same pool of pilots, cabin crews and maintenance engineers, bringing operational flexibility and resulting in significant cost savings.

In the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA), Airbus has sold around 1000 aircraft and has a backlog of over 500. More than 500 Airbus aircraft are flying with 48 MENA operators, representing around 40% percent of the fleet in service in the region.

The A330 is one of the most widely used widebody aircraft in service today. To date, Airbus has won more than 1,000 firm orders for the various versions of the aircraft. Over 700 A330s have already been delivered and the aircraft is currently flying with over 80 operators worldwide.

Airbus press release 30 August 2010

Airbus-led 'AIRE2' trials to spearhead green trajectories with A380

An Airbus-led consortium in partnership with Air France and the air navigation service providers from UK, Canada and the US (NATS, Nav Canada and the FAA) will shortly commence ‘Transatlantic Green Flight’ (TGF) trials with an Air France A380 on revenue flights from New York (JFK) to Paris (CDG). Under a recent contract from the SESAR Joint Undertaking (SJU), these A380 TGF trials are part of the second wave the Atlantic Interoperability Initiative to reduce Emissions – “AIRE2”. The first phase, AIRE, was jointly launched by the European Commission and the FAA in June 2007 at the Paris Air Show.

The TGF flights, for which Airbus has brought together numerous parties, are due to take place over a six to eight week period commencing in the fourth quarter of 2010. These will cover the optimisation of the taxi-out procedure at John F. Kennedy airport, as well as the en-route leg over the Atlantic. Overall it is estimated that each A380 flight can reduce CO2 emissions by around three tonnes, compared with existing procedures.

“These transatlantic flight trials will help to move the industry towards more efficient operational concepts and sustainable growth over the longer term,” says Charles Champion, Executive Vice President of Engineering at Airbus. He adds: “What we trial today with the A380 will contribute to setting tomorrow’s standards, thanks to system-wide Air Traffic Management improvements prepared by programmes like SESAR and NextGen.”

TGF operational contributions: The FAA will support Air France to start each trial with a fuel-saving ‘reduced engine taxi’ from the gate to the runway at JFK. This will be enabled via estimates of taxi time, allowing for A380 taxiing powered by only two of its four engines. Meanwhile, NATS and Nav Canada will facilitate the Atlantic portion of the flight which will reduce CO2 emissions through an optimized trajectory where more flexibility will be arranged for speed, altitude and lateral routing. This trajectory takes advantage of the A380’s high optimum cruise altitude of 39,000ft and above.

Additional AIRE2 projects – ‘VINGA’ & ‘Green Shuttle’
Airbus is also engaged as a partner in two further AIRE2 trials: ‘VINGA’ and ‘Green Shuttle’. VINGA, which builds on the experience of last year’s AIRE ‘MINT’ flight trials (with Novair and Swedish Air Navigation Service provider LFV), will now for the first time validate a transition from a curved RNP 0.3 arrival to an ILS approach at Gothenburg Landvetter Airport. This operational implementation will be facilitated by Airbus’ RNP services subsidiary, Quovadis. Meanwhile, the ‘Green Shuttle’ project, in partnership with Air France and the French air navigation service provider DSNA, seeks to optimize all phases of the airline’s ‘La Navette’ flights between Paris-Orly and Toulouse which are operated with A320 Family aircraft.

Airbus press release 26 August 2010

Al Jaber Aviation (AJA) has become the first Middle East customer to offer an Airbus aircraft for VVIP charter flights, following the delivery of its first A318 Elite.

It has a further three A318 Elites and two Airbus Corporate Jetliners (ACJs) on order, which will make it the largest operator of Airbus corporate jets in the region.

“We aim to provide VVIP customers with the ultimate in comfort, space, and service, and because the A318 Elite and Airbus ACJ have the widest and tallest cabins of any business jet, can now deliver it,” says Al Jaber Group Chief Executive Officer Mohammed Al Jaber. “The Al Jaber Group’s success in construction, shipping and logistics has been built on quality, and AJA is now extending this into the air,” he adds.

“The privacy, prestige and productivity of corporate jets is well understood in the Middle East, where there is a strong and growing demand for VVIP charter flights that AJA is well placed to satisfy,” points out Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers, John Leahy. “And if you can offer a better product, which is what AJA is now able to do with the Airbus A318 Elite, you give your business model the best chance of success,” he adds.

AJA;s A318 Elite is able to welcome business or family groups of up to 19 passengers, allowing larger groups to travel together than would have been possible in traditional business jets – as well as providing better value for money.

It features the comfortable and spacious seating found in well appointed offices and homes, offering a fresher and more attractive way to fly for business or pleasure. The A318 Elite also has a private office that converts to a bedroom, large bathrooms, and plenty of space for luggage.

Airbus’ A318 Elite is part of the world’s most modern airliner family, which has now won over 9,500 orders worldwide and features more than 400 customers and operators.

Airbus’ corporate jet family comprises the A318 Elite, ACJ and A320 Prestige, as well as VIP versions of its A330, A340, A350 and A380 widebodies.

It has won more than 160 orders to date, comprising more than 100 A318 Elites, Airbus ACJs and A320 prestiges, plus around 50 VIP widebodies.

Airbus corporate jets are flying on every continent, including Antarctica.

Airbus press release 23 August 2010

AEROGAL, Ecuador’s leading airline, has unveiled their new Airbus A320-200 at a ceremony in Quito, Ecuador. The new Airbus aircraft, the first of three to be delivered in 2010, marks the start of AEROGAL’s fleet renewal program.

The aircraft seats 150 passengers in a comfortable two-class configuration and will be operated on domestic and international routes. Based in Quito, AEROGAL flies more than 100,000 passengers per month to many of Ecuador’s top destinations, including Quito, Guayaquil, Galapagos, Cuenca and Manta, as well as to Bogota and New York.

“For AEROGAL, the arrival of our first A320 marks a new era in Ecuadorian aviation,” said Gabriela Sommerfeld, President of AEROGAL. “We are convinced that these new and modern aircraft, arriving direct from the assembly line, will help AEROGAL grow and expand its brand internationally.”

“We are proud to welcome AEROGAL to the Airbus family,” said John Leahy Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers, “The A320s will bring superior economics and performance, more comfortable cabin space and incredible dispatch reliability to the AEROGAL fleet.”

In Latin America, Airbus has sold more than 500 aircraft and has a backlog of over 200. More than 370 Airbus aircraft are flying with 23 Latin American operators, representing over 40 percent of the fleet in service in the region.

Airbus press release 23 August 2010