Aviation

Airbus Plans to Recruit 5,000 Direct Employees in India

Airbus, one of the leading aerospace companies, is set to significantly expand its presence in India by increasing its direct workforce to over 5,000 employees.

This move aims to enhance job opportunities and benefit the local economy, reflecting the company’s long-term commitment to the country. Currently, Airbus employs around 3,500 people directly in India.

B-52J Won’t Be Ready to Fly Until 2033: Here’s Why

A top company official shared that Airbus also plans to source services and components worth $2 billion from India over the next few years. This marks a substantial increase from the current level of €1 billion, underlining India’s role as a vital hub in Airbus’ global supply chain.

As part of its expansion, Airbus will establish a second pilot training center in collaboration with Air India. Additionally, the company is investing in the development of a new 5,000-seater Airbus campus in Bengaluru, aimed at boosting local capabilities and supporting its growing operations in the region.

Vistara-Air India Merger Update: New Loyalty Benefits and Flight Integration

Airbus is also collaborating with Indian research organizations to support the commercialization of the first ‘Made in India’ Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), a crucial step towards sustainable aviation practices. Airbus Defence and Space CEO, Michael Schoellhorn, emphasized that the ‘Make-in-India’ initiative is at the core of the company’s strategy, with the C295 program being a notable example. This program marks a historic milestone as the first aircraft fully manufactured in India by the private sector.

This ongoing expansion underscores India’s growing role as a strategic hub in the global aviation landscape. Airbus’s increased investment and initiatives are positioning India as a crucial partner in driving the future of aerospace innovation and manufacturing.

Aviation

COMAC Unveils Plans for the C929 to Rival Airbus and Boeing

After the success of China’s first C919 aircraft, the country is setting its sights on developing a larger plane. COMAC (Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China) has officially confirmed plans to build a widebody aircraft, marking a significant step in its aircraft lineup.

Traditionally, Airbus and Boeing dominate the widebody aircraft market, with decades of expertise in developing planes and engines capable of carrying heavy payloads. China, which currently relies on imported engines, is now aiming to challenge these giants with its own widebody jet, the C929, designed to compete with the Airbus A350 and Boeing 777.

American Airlines Is Looking for Flight Attendants: Apply Now

The C929 will be China’s first independently developed long-range widebody aircraft. It adheres to international airworthiness standards and boasts independent intellectual property rights. The baseline version is designed to seat 280 passengers and offers a range of 12,000 kilometers, catering to global demand for both regional and international air travel.

Russia, which also needs reliable narrowbody and widebody aircraft, could become a key customer for the C929. Additionally, China plans to target the broader Asian market as it continues to expand its aviation capabilities.

Close Call at Heathrow: BA Flight Narrowly Escapes Drone Collision

China’s aviation progress includes the ARJ21 (now called C909), a regional jet with 100 seats for shorter routes, and the C919, a narrowbody jet with 180 seats designed to rival the Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus A320. Both models have found increasing demand in the domestic market.

At China’s largest air show in Zhuhai, COMAC announced that Air China will be the launch customer for the C929 widebody jet, though details about order size and delivery timelines were not disclosed.

Other major deals announced by COMAC include:

Hainan Airlines: Firm orders for 60 C919 and 40 C909 regional jets.
Colorful Guizhou Airlines: 30 C909 jets, with 20 firm orders and 10 provisional agreements.

The C929, renamed from the CR929 after Russia withdrew from the joint development project in 2023, is expected to carry 280–400 passengers with a range of 12,000 kilometers, competing directly with Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner.

According to COMAC’s deputy general manager, Tong Yu, the first fuselage section of the C929 is expected by September 2027, with prototype test flights anticipated soon after.