Aviation
Airbus develops package of new A380 Cabin Enablers, including “New Forward Stairs” option, for A380 customers
· Improving the A380 economics and innovating in passenger comfort
· Cabin space optimisation to accommodate around 80 additional seats
· Freeing more cabin floor space for no compromise on comfort level
· Bringing airline significant additional revenue.
Hamburg, April 3rd 2017 – Airbus is developing a full spectrum of new Cabin Enablers for customers of its flagship A380 airliner. The latest is the “New Forward Stairs” (NFS) option which was presented at the Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) in Hamburg. Together these cabin enhancements will make this very efficient and comfortable airliner even better: Overall cabin optimisation is expected to result in the freeing-up more cabin floor space for around 80 additional passengers*. This would bring airlines significant additional revenues.
Dr. Kiran Rao, EVP of Strategy and Marketing at Airbus Commercial Aircraft said: “Continuous improvement of our products is our daily work. This new package for our A380 customers is a smart way to meet airline needs while improving the A380 economics with additional revenues and innovating in passenger comfort.” Dr. Rao added: “Only the A380 has the economies of scale and development potential to efficiently solve the problem of increasing congestion at large airports while providing the best comfort for passengers. The aircraft can also serve fast growing markets and airlines regional airports, so we are adapting the aircraft to meet evolving market needs.”
With this latest proposal of the NFS option, the package of new cabin enablers for the A380 now comprises the following:
New Forward Stairs – 20 more passengers (Business, Premium Economy & Economy Classes)
The NFS involves relocation of the forward stair from Door 1 to Door 2, and combining the entrance of the NFS to the upper deck (going up), with the adjacent staircase to the lower-deck crew-rest (going down). The NFS would make room for up to 20 additional passengers.
Airbus patents economy-class ‘sleep pods’(Opens in a new browser tab)
Combined Crew-Rest Compartment (CCRC) – three more passengers (Premium Economy)
For the CCRC, the existing flight-crew-rest (behind the cockpit in the mezzanine area at Door 1) is moved down and combined with the cabin crew rest on the lower deck. This innovation frees space for three extra Premium-Economy passengers at the front of the main-deck.
11-abreast 3-5-3 economy layout on the main-deck – 23 more passengers (Economy Class)
Thanks to an innovative seating concept developed by Airbus and its seating partners, Airbus is able to maintain an 18inch seat-width while offering airlines an 11-abreast Economy Class on the main-deck in a ‘3-5-3’ configuration. This enables an increase in capacity of 23 seats – adding significantly to the A380’s revenue-generating potential.
New Aft-Galley Stair Module (AGSM) – 14 more passengers + two food trolleys
The AGSM involves the redesign of the rear-stair from a spiral agreement to a straight/square one. On the main-deck, this allows valuable storage volume for galley modules. Overall the AGSM provides space for 14 more revenue passengers plus two extra food trolleys.
Upper-deck sidewall stowage removal – 10 more passengers (Business Class)
The option to remove the sidewall stowages on the upper-deck increases the wall-to-wall cabin width at foot-rest height – which makes space for up to 10 more business class seats / beds when an angled herring-bone arrangement is used.
Nine-abreast Premium Economy on the main deck – 11 more passengers (Premium Economy)
The A380’s generous main-deck cross section – significantly wider than any other commercial airliner – is allowing seat manufacturers to optimise their Premium Economy (PE) seat designs to create the industry’s most efficient and comfortable PE layout possible. This layout enables 11 more PE seats than in an eight-abreast layout.
Airbus is a global leader in aeronautics, space and related services. In 2016, it generated revenues of €67billion and employed a workforce of around 134,000. Airbus offers the most comprehensive range of passenger airliners from 100 to more than 600 seats. Airbus is also a European leader providing tanker, combat, transport and mission aircraft, as well as Europe’s number one space enterprise and the world’s second largest space business. In helicopters, Airbus provides the most efficient civil and military rotorcraft solutions worldwide.
*Note for Editors:
497 passengers is the airline’s average capacity of the A380s currently in operation today – which are consistently attracting above-average passenger load factors. With all these A380 cabin enablers, the A380 seat count would move from 497 to 575 in four classes, and generate significantly more revenue for airlines.
Airlines
Air France-KLM Orders 90 Airbus A350 Long-Range Aircraft
The Air France-KLM Group has today stated that it intends to place a historic aircraft order in an effort to modernize and simplify its long-haul fleet, enhancing the Group’s economic and environmental performance.
First deliveries of the 50 Airbus A350-900 and A350-1000 aircraft under this group order are scheduled to begin in 2026 and continue through 2030, with the option to purchase a further 40 aircraft. In accordance with market dynamics and regional regulatory frameworks, the Group will have the flexibility to assign aircraft among its portfolio of airlines under this evolving order.
These aircraft will replace previous-generation aircraft, namely Airbus A330 and older Boeing 777 aircraft. This new order will come in addition to an existing Air France-KLM order for 41 Airbus A350-900s for Air France, of which 22 have been delivered to date. With these combined orders, covering up to 99 aircraft, Air France-KLM would become the world’s largest A350 family aircraft operator.
The Airbus A350 symbolizes the transition to a more sustainable air transport industry. The aircraft consumes 25% less fuel than an equivalent-sized, previous-generation aircraft, thanks to the use of lighter materials: 53% composites and 14% titanium. Its noise footprint is also reduced by 40%.
By 2028, the share of new-generation aircraft in the Air France-KLM fleet will reach 64%, compared to 5% in 2019. Air France-KLM was flying 533 aircraft as of September 25, 2023, to more than 300 locations across the world. After placing this order, the Group will have over 220 aircraft on order, including 100 Airbus A320neo family aircraft, with maiden deliveries anticipated by the end of 2023.
Airlines
Airbus announces plans to hire 1,000 Employees across the UK
Airbus, a major player in the aerospace industry, has announced ambitions to hire an additional 1,100 workers in the UK. Positions available include those for robotics engineers, manufacturing engineers, cryogenics system engineers, project and programme managers, software engineers, and cyber security engineers.
Airbus is the largest civil aerospace company in the UK, the largest exporter of civil aerospace products, the largest provider of large aircraft to the Royal Air Force, and the manufacturer of about 50% of the country’s civil helicopter fleet. Airbus has more than 25 locations throughout the UK.
The report finds that Airbus remains a significant part of the UK’s larger industrial manufacturing capabilities, supporting economic success, after assessing the influence of Airbus in areas including jobs, investment, research and development (R&D), supply chain, and sovereign capability.
Emirates’ Boeing 777 Fleet Tops 859,000 Flights..!(Opens in a new browser tab)
Key highlights from Oxford Economics’ analysis found that:
Airlines
Embraer and Scoot Sign Pool Program Agreement for its E190-E2 fleet
Embraer announced a Pool Programme services agreement with Scoot to support the airline’s incoming fleet of nine E190-E2 aircraft.
The Pool Programme provides access to component exchanges and repair services for over 300 repairable parts to support Scoot’s Embraer aircraft, allowing the airline to reduce its upfront investment in high-value repairable inventories and resources while leveraging Embraer’s technical expertise and extensive component repair service provider network. The Pool Programme currently covers more than 60 airlines globally.
The E190-E2 jet is the most effective and quiet single-aisle aircraft in the world, and Scoot will receive the first batch in 2024. Scoot’s operations will also gain from the AHEAD (Aircraft Health Analysis and Diagnosis) system, which includes early detection capabilities for critical systems, reducing technical interruptions and preventing flight cancellations, and the eSight, which provides real-time fleet performance monitoring.
With 10,000 flying hours for basic checks and no calendar limit for normal E-Jet operations, the E-Jets E2 series of aircraft, including the E190-E2, has the longest maintenance intervals in the single-aisle jet category. As a result, the aircraft can be used with little downtime.
Singapore’s Scoot selects Embraer E190-E2 lease arrangement with Azorra.(Opens in a new browser tab)
Singapore serves as the hub for Embraer’s business in the Asia Pacific region. The company has employees based in Singapore as well as a regional distribution centre inside the free trade zone of Changi Airport. A state-of-the-art E2 full flight simulator and pilot training programme will be launched in Singapore in 2023, according to a recent announcement by Embraer and CAE. The Singapore-CAE Flight Training Centre at the SIA Training Centre will serve as the home base for the full flight simulator.
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