TAM Becomes South American Launch Customer for A350

TAM BECOMES A350 LAUNCH CUSTOMER FOR LATIN AMERICA

Brazilian airline TAM signed today a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)n for the purchase of eight A350-900s plus seven options becoming the launch customer of the type in Latin America.

TAM also signed a firm purchase agreement for 20 additional A320 Family aircraft plus 20 options. The total value of the order comes to 2.6 billion US dollars.

Speaking to the press, John Leahy, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer, welcomed TAM management who flew from Brazil overnight for the conference. “TAM has become our largest customer in Latin America, with a fleet that will total 100 Airbus aircraft with this latest order,” he said.

TAM who will receive its first additional single-aisle Airbus aircraft in 2007 and the A350-900s from 2012, plans to use them to expand its existing routes and to fly to new destinations. Currently, the airline flies domestic routes as well as to Paris, Miami and will soon add New York to its destinations.

“With this order, Airbus now has 125 firm orders for the new A350, and has announced twice the number of orders that our competitor booked at the air show so far,” concluded John Leahy.

AVIC I BECOMES A NEW PARTNER OF AIRBUS’ ENGINEERING CENTRE IN CHINA

China Aviation Industry Corporation I (AVIC I) has signed an agreement with Airbus to become a new partner of the new Airbus Engineering Centre in China.

Earlier this year, the China Aviation Industry Corporation II (AVICII) signed a similar agreement during former French PM Jean-Pierre Raffarin’ s visit to the country, taking a 25 per cent share in the engineering centre. The first group from AVIC II has already started their training in Toulouse, France. Some 50 engineers will work in the centre by the end of 2005 and up to 200 by 2008.

The Airbus Engineering Centre, which will be inaugurated later this year, is to be located in the Tianzhu Airport Industrial Zone, adjacent to the offices of Airbus China. It will perform aircraft specific design work for the A350 at the beginning of the programme.

“The centre will be enable Airbus to allocate the promised 5 per cent work share in the new A350 programme to China. China has a solid foundation and great potential in the aviation industry, with a number of excellent professionals,” said Airbus Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Gustav Humbert, “We believe that the Chinese engineers will make significant contributions to the innovative design of Airbus aircraft in the future. The new centre will help China to increase the number of world-class aircraft engineers substantially.”

The engineering centre is intended to enhance and develop a closer relationship between Airbus and the Chinese aviation industry, with a view to China becoming a full risk-sharing partner in future aircraft programmes.

“In recent years, we have been delighted to see that Airbus has constantly increased procurement in China. Establishing the engineering centre demonstrates Airbus’ ongoing commitment to strengthening industrial co-operation with China,” said AVIC I Executive Vice President Yang Yuzhong. “We look forward to further expanding co-operation with Airbus in the future.”

MEXICAN ABC AEROLINEAS TO ACQUIRE 10 A320S

New low-cost airline, ABC Aerolineas of Mexico boosted its all-Airbus fleet by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airbus for the purchase of ten new A320s, plus an option for ten more.

In signing the deal valued at USD1.2 billion, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer, John Leahy said, “I am very pleased to welcome a new member of the Airbus family and am sure that this is the beginning of a long and fruitful partnership between ABC Aerolineas and Airbus.”

ABC Aerolineas who will start operations under the Interjet brand in December this year, will be based out of Toluca airport, half an hour from Mexico City’s business district. The airline will initially operate seven second-hand A320s recently acquired in Europe before its new A320s begin to be delivered to from the second quarter of 2007. All aircraft will be used exclusively within Mexico’s domestic market, on the highest yield routes.

José Luis Ramirez, Executive Vice President of ABC Aerolineas said, “I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to Airbus for its extraordinary support in helping to launch a new low-cost carrier in Mexico. This is a historic event.”

WHEN EXTREMES MEET AT THE SHOW

The smallest aircraft flying at the show, the “Lion cub” and its larger version “the Lion” provided a striking contrast today when they parked under the A380 on static display in front of the Airbus pavilion.

The Lion and its cub are both created, designed and manufactured by Airbus sub-contractor Rex composites, a family company located in Issoire in the centre of France. The two-seater lion cub was the first ever all carbon aircraft in the world to be certificated while its larger three-seat version which flies at the air show is still in its certification programme.

Philippe Moniot, president, explains: “For us, aviation rhymes with passion. We design, manufacture, test and sell small trainer aircraft for pilots who will perhaps graduate to the A380 one day. At the same time, our composite unit makes parts for the A340-600. So we feel associated to Airbus in more than one way.”

The small trainers are ten times smaller than the A380 with a total length of 6.60 metres and a wing span of 8.66 metres for the larger of the two, and many times lighter!

INDIAN CARRIER INDIGO ORDERS 100 FIRM AIRBUS A320 FAMILY AIRCRAFT

InterGlobe Enterprises Limited today announced its plans to launch IndiGo, its nation-wide low-cost airline venture. IndiGo has committed for 100 firm A320 family aircraft with Airbus – world renowned for the customer friendly features and comfort of its airliners.

The venture is being jointly promoted by InterGlobe Enterprises Limited and Rakesh Gangwal, globally recognized for his management skills and expertise in the airline industry.

“IndiGo is the result of extensive analysis and planning by very experienced airline executives and we are convinced it will be a successful new player in a market that is both large and fast growing,” says Airbus President and CEO Noël Forgeard. “Airbus A320 Family aircraft have been chosen by many of the world’s new and successful low-cost carriers, and we like to think that our products are making a valuable contribution to their prosperity.”

“The aviation industry in India is on the threshold of the next big revolution and IndiGo is ideally positioned to fill the fast emerging need for reliable, efficient and economical air travel,” says InterGlobe Enterprises Limited Managing Director Rahul Bhatia. “IndiGo will also make a humble yet significant contribution to India’s growth by creating employment opportunities directly and through ancillary services.” Established in 1989, InterGlobe Enterprises is the foremost travel conglomerate in India and enjoys a significant presence in the fields of aviation management, travel related services, travel technology, travel distribution services and hotel development & management services.

“We are pleased with our selection of A320 family aircraft for the launch of IndiGo,” says Rakesh Gangwal “IndiGo will serve the nation’s air travellers with superior customer service and provide great value for money, using Airbus A320 Family aircraft that we have chosen because of their passenger comfort, economy and modern design.” Rakesh Gangwal has been associated with the travel industry since 1980. In his aviation career spanning over two decades, he has worked with United Airlines, Air France and US Airways in senior management positions.

THE A350’S GEnx ENGINE: CLEANER, QUIETER AND MORE EFFICIENT

The A350’s GEnx powerplant will provide the world’s most advanced twin-engine airliner with a quiet, environmentally friendly and highly cost-efficient propulsion system.

Already selected by ALAFCO Aviation Lease and Finance Company of Kuwait for its A350-800s and A350-900s, the General Electric GEnx engine will enter testing in 2006, with certification scheduled for the following year.

GEnx will use the latest in materials and design processes to cut weight, improve performance and reduce maintenance. As an example, the powerplant’s main fan will be fitted with 18 highly-swept composite fan blades – a significant simplification from the 36 metallic blades used on General Electric’s CF6 engines that currently power Airbus A300s, A310s and A330s.

The GEnx’s combustor – which is the “business” part of the engine, where fuel is burned to produce thrust – is the most advanced in the industry, and will meet existing and future regulations for NOx emissions. This ensures the A350 will be in clean compliance with environmental regulations for years to come.

For A350 operators, GEnx will help theibottom line by delivering 15 percent better specific fuel consumption than earlier-generation engines in its category, saving money for airlines whenever they fly.

AIRBUS ACKNOWLEDGES THE EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE OF ITS SUPPLIERS

Airbus presented its top ten suppliers with an award acknowledging the high level of service that they provided last year as part of its ongoing commitment to monitor and improve customer services.

Forty suppliers were rated by 85 airlines who judged them according to three criteria: ability to provide reliable equipment and systems, ability to ensure effective support services and ability to provide competitive direct maintenance costs.

After an analysis of the 5,000 questionnaires returned to Customer Services, four* of the top ten suppliers received a “Gold Award” for their “Exceptional Customer Support performance”. All four companies had been in Airbus’ top ten supplier list since 2000. The remaining six* of 2004’s leading suppliers were all awarded the Silver Award for “Excellent Customer Service Performance”.

In presenting the awards, Executive Vice President Customer Services, Patrick Gavin said, “I would like to congratulate our best suppliers. You have contributed strongly to the good perception that Airbus has amongst its customers”.

He went on to add that the industry input into the supplier rating made the awards a good way of defining how Airbus and its suppliers could improve their performance for customers. “Competition is tough and support and services is part of this competition.” he said. “Airbus is striving to be number one in customer services and this is a top priority of Airbus management as it develops customer loyalty”.

*Gold Award winners (in alphabetical order): AOA/LGG; Airbus Avionics; Diehl Avionik Systeme; Goodrich Fuel & Utility Systems.

*Silver Award winners (in alphabetical order): Auxiliary Power International Corporation; Honeywell Aerospace Electronics Systems; Rockwell Collins Avionics; Sagem; Technofan; Vibro-Meter.

AIRBUS FLIGHT CREWS OVER PARIS

Three Airbus flight crews will fly the A318, the A340 and the A380 to demonstrate the smooth handling qualities of Airbus' latest aircraft, including the A380 currently in its development programme.

Flying the A380 while the aircraft – which performed its maiden flight on 27 April - is only a few weeks into its test campaign, is a demonstration of the confidence Airbus pilots feel in their new aircraft.

The aircraft are flown by three different crews: Flying the A318 are Peter Chandler and Philippe Perrin, engineering test pilots, Bernard Kamps, test flight engineer and Manfred Birnfeld, flight test engineer. The latter will be replaced by Eric Isorce in the second half of the week.

Claude Lelaie, senior vice president flight division flies the A340-600 with Thierry Bourgès, test pilot, Pascal Verneau, test flight engineer and Stéphane Vaux, flight test engineer.

Flying the A380 are Jacques Rosay, chief test pilot, Wolfgang Absmeier, engineering test pilot, Gérard Desbois, chief test flight engineer, Didier Ronceray, flight test engineer and Fernando Alonso, flight test engineer and flight test director. Faced with an excited crowd of journalists, Jacques Rosay said: "We are very happy to be able to bring the aircraft to the airshow so early on in the flight test programme to present it to a large audience."

A380 CONTINUES ITS CERTIFICATION CAMPAIGN

A few weeks after its maiden flight, the A380, which is participating in the flight displays at the Paris airshow, has already completed the first milestones in its 2,500 hours certification campaign and is making very good progress.

Flying almost every day for an average of four or five hours, the aircraft has already spent some 100 hours in the air over the course of 22 flights. During these missions, the crew has made an initial evaluation of the aircraft, analysing its handling characteristics and investigating its flight envelope. The flight envelope includes flying it at its minimum speeds and up to stall in all configurations performing the first stall on its third flight. Tests have also included flying at maximum speeds, up to Mach 0.89 (VMO) and to 375 knots (VD). Take-off has been performed at a weight of 553 tonnes, close to the maximum take-off weight and landing at a weight of 510 tonnes, 120 tonnes over the maximum landing weight.

The A380 performed its first automatic landing on its 17th flight, the first time by far such a manoeuvre is performed so early in a development programme.

Feedback from the flights so far has been very positive. Claude Lelaie, Airbus senior vice president flight division and test pilot on the maiden flight of the A380, says: “The aircraft is presenting excellent aerodynamics characteristics and stall characteristics. We have flown it up to 0.89 Mach with no vibrations.”

Flight controls are already in very good shape and will require only some fine tuning to be performed. Measurements of performance – cruise performance and climb with one engine out - shows that everything is within target so far.

As the aircraft identification phase reaches completion, tests on the systems have already started, including checks of the aircraft’s back-up systems (such as landing gear free fall) and an analysis of the engine calibration.

Immediately after the Paris airshow, the A380 will return to Toulouse to complete the exploration of the A380’s flight envelope. This includes the continuation of flutter tests which checks the behaviour of the aircraft structure beyond the authorized Mach number.

Later in the programme, systems testing will be followed by tests on cabin elements before the aircraft flies with passengers on Toulouse to Toulouse flights.