Airlines

Airbus replaces the A380 factory in Toulouse with the opening of the A320 final assembly line

Airbus inaugurated its new A320 Family final assembly line (FAL) in Toulouse in front of French Economy and Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire, Transport Minister Clément Beaune, Minister of State for Industry Roland Lescure, and Minister of State for Territorial Collectivities and Rural Affairs Dominique Faure, as well as hundreds of Airbus employees.

Airbus inaugurates Hamburg’s fourth A320 Family production line(Opens in a new browser tab)

“The opening of this new final assembly line in Toulouse that can accommodate the A321 marks yet another significant step in the ongoing modernization of our global industrial system. According to Guillaume Faury, CEO of Airbus, “This FAL will support the ongoing production rate ramp-up to 75 A320 Family aircraft per month in 2026 while meeting the increased demand for A321s, which currently represents about 60% of the total A320 Family backlog.”

We welcome this new facility to our global network of final assembly sites, which will also include four FALs in Hamburg, Germany; two in Toulouse, France; two in Mobile, United States; and two in Tianjin, China, all of which can assemble the A321 aircraft.

First A321XLR development aircraft undergoes final assembly(Opens in a new browser tab)

This most recent A320 Family final assembly line incorporates a number of improvements with the goal of optimizing product quality and efficiency as well as setting new benchmarks for health, safety, and sustainability. These developments include automated logistics for the delivery of parts, lightweight robots for section joining, and digital production control using tablets and smartphones to eliminate the use of paper.

When the first fuselage parts were delivered at the end of 2022, the new FAL, which had been installed in the former A380 “Jean-Luc Lagardère” assembly building, began its starting operations. By the end of the year, an A321 that has been entirely constructed in this facility is anticipated to roll out. Between now and 2025, the industrial site will gradually increase activities, directly employing about 700 workers.

Airlines

Air India Express Aircraft Engine Part Falls Outside Delhi Airport; DGCA Orders Probe

Air India Express flight skids off runway while landing at Kochi airport

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched an inquiry following reports that metal fragments were discovered at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport after an Air India Express flight made an emergency landing on Monday evening.

The emergency landing was prompted by a detected engine fault, but fortunately, the landing was executed safely without any injuries to the passengers.

The situation began when crew members of the Air India Express flight reported an engine issue, leading to the emergency landing. The DGCA has confirmed that a thorough investigation is underway and has directed that the aircraft undergo a comprehensive safety inspection.

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The discovery of metal debris outside the airport has raised concerns, prompting the DGCA to probe whether these fragments are linked to the aircraft involved in the emergency landing. Authorities are particularly focused on whether the metal pieces, which were found near the airport, originated from the same Air India Express flight that experienced engine trouble.

While preliminary assessments suggest that the debris could be a broken blade from an aircraft engine, the exact source remains unconfirmed. The airline has yet to verify if the metal fragments are from their aircraft.

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The Delhi Police, working in conjunction with the DGCA, have initiated their own investigation to determine the origin of the metal pieces. A technical team is set to analyze whether the fragments are associated with the aircraft in question. As the investigation continues, a case has been filed with the airport authority to address the matter.