Aviation

Airbus Launches OpenCargoLab with airfreight companies

In a bid to revolutionize the airfreight industry, Airbus has unveiled its latest initiative, the OpenCargoLab, in Toulouse, France.

With the goal of improving the whole airfreight ecosystem, this cooperative project unites a group of influential participants from several industries, such as airlines, handling, and logistics. A strong group of professionals from CHAMP Cargosystems, Fraport, KLM Cargo, Kuehne+Nagel, and Swissport make up the OpenCargoLab initiative. They each bring a distinct set of skills and insights to the table.

According to Airbus, this partnership will serve as a catalyst for the creation of resource- and digital-saving ideas that will promote more robust and effective airfreight procedures. In the midst of the vibrant IATA World Cargo Symposium in Hong Kong, Airbus announced the launch of OpenCargoLab, demonstrating their dedication to meeting the changing demands of the global freight business.

Airbus is putting itself in a position to benefit from the amazing 50% growth that is predicted for the airfreight business by 2042. focusing in particular on the Asia-Pacific area, which is known for its strong economic growth and rising need for contemporary airfreight solutions.

Over the following two decades, widebody freighter demand is expected to significantly increase, according to Airbus. Airbus hopes to attain more than 25% of the worldwide market for cargo aircraft in the above 40-ton segment, with an estimated 400 widebody freighters needed in the Asia-Pacific area alone.

Airbus intends to investigate a wide range of digital solutions, like as robotics and augmented reality, to improve risky cargo transportation and expedite data connectivity. An important part of this project is to have an A350F fuselage replica installed at the Cargo Test Center in Toulouse by the end of 2024, equipped with a sizable cargo door. Innovative airfreight solutions will be tested and refined out of this facility.

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.