Aerospace

How Airbus deftly avoided the A350 controversy while obtaining fresh orders to secure its future.

Building a brand takes a lot of time and effort, but when anything goes wrong, it can be a nightmare for a firm that is doing well in the market. A huge issue arises when the supplier fails to respond properly to the buyer. When a passenger’s query is not appropriately answered, most airlines suffer comparable challenges. Individuals may escalate the matter to a new level, causing the brand to suffer.

In business, the customer is always correct. When there is a problem with a client, before we criticize them, we must first try to remedy the situation, especially if that customer is very influential in your business. A good business can only be achieved when the products sell in the market after the services and guarantees of the product are taken care of.

Airbus had severe hurdles seeking fresh orders as a result of the A350 paint issue. The issue was temporarily halted due to the COVID pandemic. It had little effect on the Airbus corporation, but after the post-Covid period, the company experienced some difficulties in gaining further orders.

Farnborough Airshow is one of the most well-known aviation market events. Airbus did not receive any orders for wide-body aircraft such as the A350, but it did receive orders for narrow-body aircraft such as the A320 and A220 families.

Qatar Airlines reported paint problems with its Airbus A350 planes. The problem was with the paint on the aircraft’s exterior, which was reportedly peeling off and fading prematurely.

Qatar Airlines had discussed the matter with Airbus, which had acknowledged the issue and stated that it was working on a solution. The paint issue was not thought to have harmed the aircraft’s safety or performance, but it was viewed as a cosmetic issue that could harm the airline’s brand image.

Airbus indicated that the problem was with the paint’s supplier and that it was working with the supplier to enhance the paint’s quality. Airbus also offered to repaint the impacted aircraft for Qatar Airways and was said to be trying to prevent similar problems in the future.

Owing to the A350 situation with Qatar, Airbus canceled the A320 family aircraft orders. After the cancellation, Qatar turned its attention to Boeing and placed new orders for the Boeing Max and Boeing 777x aircraft. There was all-out head-to-head warfare between the two parties.

Airbus expertly managed the situation and provided the fixes.

However, Airbus wisely moved to the settlement of the concerns and initiated the resolution of the problem and remedy the issue, as well as ensuring that future aircraft will not suffer any such challenges. As soon as the news arrived, it began receiving new orders for aircraft. Air India has confirmed large orders for A350-900 and 1000 series planes. Other airlines began to show interest in it as well.

The longest flight in the world will be operated by Qantas Project Sunrise using the A350 aircraft since there is sufficient confidence in the aircraft. The range of the Qantas aircraft, which can fly nonstop for up to 19 hours, will be increased to around 9,700 nm.

Airbus addressed this incident skillfully to prevent lasting damage. The same thing serves as a reminder to other manufacturers that in order to prevent losing new orders, they must act promptly to address any problems that are delaying deliveries or after-sales services.

The aerospace sector is difficult since nothing is ever completely perfect when you release any new items. It’s important to embrace the truth and work through any problems.

Airbus is renowned for its highest-quality airplanes and advancements, and it always introduces the most recent technology first. we hope it will continue and aid in the future efficiency and smooth operation of the airline sector. Let us know what you think about Airbus and Qatar Airways. Conflict resolution and the lesson we learned from it, according to you.

Dawal

He is an aviation journalist and the founder of Jetline Marvel. Dawal gained a comprehensive understanding of the commercial aviation industry. He has worked in a range of roles for more than 9 years in the aviation and aerospace industry. He has written more than 1700 articles in the aerospace industry. When he was 19 years old, he received a national award for his general innovations and holds the patent. He completed two postgraduate degrees simultaneously, one in Aerospace and the other in Management. Additionally, he authored nearly six textbooks on aviation and aerospace tailored for students in various educational institutions. jetlinem4(at)gmail.com

Aerospace

China Secures Production Certificate for Mass Production of Pilotless eVTOL Aircraft

EHang

The first passenger-carrying pilotless electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in the world, the EH216-S, has received the Production Certificate for its eVTOL aircraft from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC).

This is a significant milestone for EHang Holdings Limited, the leading UAM technology platform company in the world. This outstanding accomplishment is another big step towards mass manufacturing for the eVTOL aircraft and the ensuing commercial operations, building on the ground-breaking acquisition of the Type Certificate and the Standard Airworthiness Certificate for the EH216-S.

The PC is a crucial certificate that the aircraft maker receives from the CAAC, the country’s aviation authority. By obtaining this certificate, EHang has demonstrated that it has set up a quality management system for mass production that satisfies the airworthiness regulation standards set forth by the CAAC, and the company has been given permission to continue producing mass quantities.

It is also a strong guarantee of the calibre of the goods made by EHang. Raw materials, supplier management, manufacturing organisation, production quality control, aircraft pre-delivery test, after-sales repair and maintenance, etc. are all included in the mass production quality management system for the EH216-S.

To ensure that every aircraft and its components that roll off the production line strictly adhere to the approved type design and safety requirements, the system sets clear guidelines and documentation for every step in the production procedure. This ensures comprehensive traceability and safety control.

Aerospace

Four Airbus A380 Superjumbos lined up to be scrapped

EASA Proposes AD for Airbus A380 Wing Rib Foot Cracks

In a strategic move aimed at reclaiming valuable resources from the iconic Airbus A380 aircraft, VAS Aero Services and Dr. Peters Group have announced a significant collaboration.

This partnership marks a milestone in aviation logistics and aftermarket services, with four of these colossal planes slated for teardown and redistribution of used serviceable material (USM).

The venture between VAS Aero Services, renowned for its expertise in aircraft dismantlement, and Dr. Peters Group, a prominent Germany-based investment fund management firm, underscores a commitment to sustainable aviation practices. This isn’t their first foray into scrapping A380s; their successful partnership has already seen the dismantlement of these aircraft, making them pioneers in this niche.

Under the agreement, the latest consignment brings the tally to eight A380s entrusted to VAS by Dr. Peters Group. Managing Director Christian Mailly of Dr. Peters Group emphasized the trust placed in VAS, citing their unparalleled capabilities in dismantlement and aftermarket sales network. It’s a strategic move in response to the growing demand for quality USM parts, particularly with the resurgence in reliance on the A380.

Notably, the teardown process will be carried out at various locations, optimizing the positioning of harvested parts to cater to different markets. While some parts will be positioned in Europe to support operators in the region and the Middle East, others will remain in the Asia-Pacific region. This meticulous strategy ensures efficient access to spare parts, benefiting MROs and airlines across these markets.

The decision to retire these A380s comes at a time when operators are reassessing fleet strategies amidst evolving market dynamics. Despite initial plans for quick retirement due to the emergence of more fuel-efficient alternatives, factors such as a rebound in long-haul demand and delays in new widebody deliveries have prompted operators to reconsider. The A380, with its unique capacity and capabilities, presents a practical solution for short-term capacity management.

Aerospace

Rolls-Royce Launches Test Flights for Revolutionary Pearl 10X Engine

Rollsroyce

Rolls-Royce reports that the company’s dedicated Boeing 747 flying testbed has seen the successful start of the Pearl 10X, their newest aero engine designed for the business aviation industry.

Dassault, a French aircraft manufacturer, has decided to use this engine only to power their newest flagship, the Falcon 10X. As stated at last year’s Capital Markets Day, the commencement of flight testing represents a significant milestone for both Rolls-Royce and the Pearl 10X programme as the company concentrates on expanding in the business aviation industry.

The first Rolls-Royce engine to power a Dassault business jet is the Pearl 10X, the newest engine in the state-of-the-art Pearl engine family. The Pearl 10X was chosen by the French aircraft manufacturer as their new flagship model, demonstrating even more of Rolls-Royce’s dominance in the business aviation engine market.

Over the next few months, pilots and flight test engineers from Tucson, Arizona, USA, will put the engine through its paces. The flight test programme will comprise testing of the nacelle’s anti-icing system, in-flight relights, engine performance and handling checks at various speeds and altitudes, and fan vibration tests at various altitudes.

The new auxiliary gearbox, which enables higher additional power extraction, and the ultra-low emissions ALM combustor, which is compatible with 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), have undergone extensive testing as part of the ground-based development programme thus far. The engine will be the most potent business aviation engine in the Rolls-Royce lineup. It exceeded its intended thrust levels during the very first test run. With over 2,300 testing hours successfully completed on the Pearl 10X engine configuration as well as the Advance 2 demonstration, the programme is moving forward at a rapid pace.

With the most economical engine core available for business aircraft, the Advance2 engine, coupled with a high-performance low-pressure system, gives the Pearl 10X an exceptional thrust of over 18,000 lbf. With a 5% increase in economy over the previous generation of Rolls-Royce commercial aviation engines, the Pearl 10X