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

KLM Begins Testing Self Driving Crew Buses at Schiphol Airport

In a significant step towards modernizing airport operations, Schiphol Airport has launched the second phase of its trial for electric self-driving buses.

This initiative, in collaboration with KLM Cityhopper and KLM Ground Services, is aimed at enhancing efficiency and sustainability at one of Europe’s busiest airports. Following a successful initial trial with the self-driving buses from supplier Ohmio, the new phase is now underway.

This phase focuses on deploying the autonomous buses on a fixed, pre-programmed route that connects the apron to the terminal. The primary users of this service are the KLM Cityhopper crew, who will benefit from a streamlined shuttle between their aircraft and the terminal. best cabin crew skytrax

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The trial’s first phase centered on assessing the technical capabilities and user-friendliness of the buses. Now, the focus shifts to the apron—a bustling area characterized by high activity levels, including aircraft movements and ground handling operations. The autonomous buses will navigate this complex environment multiple times a day, ferrying KLM Cityhopper crew from Apron A to the terminal.

Equipped with advanced sensors, cameras, and GPS, the buses are designed to handle the dynamic conditions of the apron. They feature LIDAR technology, providing a comprehensive 360-degree view that enables them to detect and avoid obstacles up to 30 meters away. This cutting-edge technology ensures safe and efficient operation in the busy airport setting.

Schiphol Airport is committed to becoming one of the world’s most sustainable and high-quality airports by 2050. A core component of this vision is the transition to a fleet of autonomous, zero-emission vehicles.

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This shift is part of a broader strategy to automate ground operations while maintaining a vital human presence in a supervisory role. By doing so, Schiphol aims to reduce emissions and enhance the overall efficiency of its operations.

The integration of self-driving buses into the airport’s daily operations represents a major milestone in achieving these sustainability goals. As the trial progresses, Schiphol, KLM Cityhopper, and KLM Ground Services will continue to evaluate and refine the technology, paving the way for a more automated and environmentally friendly future in aviation ground services.