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

Qantas Engineers Stage Walkout Over Cost of Living Concerns

Tensions at Qantas reached new heights as base maintenance workers in Brisbane walked out of a hangar meeting hosted by the airline’s CEO, Vanessa Hudson.

The walkout was a clear display of displeasure and aimed to send a strong message to the company’s management about the growing frustrations within the workforce. The workers, represented by the Qantas Engineers Alliance, have been pushing for wage increases that reflect the rising cost of living.

In an open display of displeasure, Qantas Base maintenance workers walked out of a hangar meet hosted by the CEO Vanessa Hudson in Brisbane, also aimed to send a message to the management.

Qantas Engineers Alliance members have been demanding decent wage increases to match with… pic.twitter.com/y9EVjc46VM— FL360aero (@fl360aero) September 14, 2024

Despite ongoing discussions, the employees feel that their concerns have been overlooked, leading to this public show of dissent. The hangar meeting, meant to foster dialogue and address employee concerns, instead became the stage for a visible demonstration of dissatisfaction as the workers exited in unison.

For some time, the engineers and maintenance staff have expressed frustration over wage stagnation amid increasing inflation and living costs. Their demand is simple: a decent and fair wage adjustment that keeps pace with economic realities. The walkout underscores the workers’ determination to stand firm on their request for better pay and fair treatment.

As Qantas navigates its recovery post-pandemic, this incident highlights the growing internal challenges the airline faces, especially concerning its workforce. The maintenance staff’s actions have put additional pressure on the company’s leadership to address the wage concerns and avoid further escalation.