Aviation

Airbus is building the first H125 helicopter assembly line in India with TATA.

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Airbus Helicopters has revealed that it is collaborating with the Tata Group to set up a Final Assembly Line (FAL) for helicopters in the nation, which is a significant step toward promoting “Made in India.”

From its civil range, Airbus‘ best-selling H125 helicopter will be produced by the FAL for India and exported to some of the neighboring countries.

The Government of India’s “AatmaNirbhar Bharat” (self-reliant India) project will benefit greatly from the FAL, which will be the first private sector establishment of a helicopter manufacturing plant in India. As part of this agreement, Airbus Helicopters and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), a Tata Group company, will establish the facility.

The key component assemblies, avionics, mission systems, electrical harnesses, hydraulic circuits, flight controls, dynamic components, fuel system, and engine integration will all be handled by the FAL in India. Additionally, it will test, qualify, and ship the H125 to clients in the vicinity of India. The first “Made in India” H125 deliveries are anticipated to start in 2026, and the FAL will take 24 months to set up. Airbus and the Tata Group will decide on the FAL’s site together.

Among single-engine helicopters, the H125 is the best-selling model globally, outperforming other helicopters in its class. This adaptable, high-performing helicopter is part of Airbus’ Ecureuil family, which has flown at than 38 million hours globally. It is capable of functioning in extremely hot and humid conditions and is readily adaptable to a wide range of tasks, such as aerial operations, law enforcement, firefighting, rescue operations, air ambulance services, passenger transport, and many more.

The H125 is the only helicopter to have made a landing on Mount Everest, proving its adaptability in harsh, high-altitude conditions. By utilizing TASL’s aerospace and defense expertise, Airbus plans to create its second FAL in India, a helicopter manufacturing facility. The C295 military transport aircraft FAL is being constructed in Vadodara by the two businesses.

Aviation

Airbus Enhances A350 Cabin with 10-Abreast Seating

Airbus has announced a new partnership with Jiatai Aircraft Equipment, a Chinese aircraft seating manufacturer, to supply upgraded economy-class seats for the A350 widebody series.

This collaboration, unveiled at the 2024 Airshow China, focuses on developing a newly designed economy seat tailored for the A350‘s New Production Standard (NPS) cabin.

One of the key features of the NPS cabin is the ability to accommodate 17-inch wide economy seats, compared to the previous 16.5-inch wide seats that airlines were limited to in the A350’s earlier configurations.

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This change is made possible by the expanded space in the NPS cabin, which is 35 inches longer and 4 inches wider than the previous version. This extra space is achieved by slightly moving the cockpit wall forward and shifting the rear pressure bulkhead back by one frame.

The wider cabin allows airlines to add up to 30 extra economy seats without compromising comfort. For airlines opting for a 3-4-3 seating layout, the 17-inch wide seats are an excellent choice for a more comfortable passenger experience. However, some airlines, such as Iberia, may choose to retain a 9-abreast layout with wider seats for added comfort.

The NPS cabin also offers enhanced flexibility for airline operators. One major advantage is the ability to easily switch between a 9-abreast and 10-abreast seating configuration without requiring significant downtime for aircraft reconfiguration. Airlines can use the same seat rails, tracks, and IFE interfaces, making the transition smoother and quicker.

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In addition, the design of the floor attachments and air-conditioning systems has been optimized for 10-abreast seating, meaning airlines can upgrade their cabins without needing to make substantial modifications to the aircraft’s structure.

Though it’s still unclear when Jiatai’s economy-class seats will be officially added to the A350’s Buyer Furnished Equipment (BFE) catalogue, the collaboration marks a significant step toward enhancing the A350’s cabin offerings.

With this partnership, Airbus is providing more seating options for airlines, ensuring that they can meet diverse customer needs while improving overall operational efficiency.