Airbus, the manufacturer of the A380 superjumbo, is expecting a reunion of sorts. Two years since the final A380 jetliner exited its Toulouse factory, the company is readying for the return of some A380s for wing inspections. Despite the factory now being reassigned to accommodate the production of smaller jets, a portion of it is dedicated to this task.
The mammoth Jean-Luc Lagardere assembly hall, previously used for A380 production until 2021, now houses the assembly line for the single-aisle A321neo. The inauguration of this new assembly line is set to happen on Monday.
A Dedicated Space for Inspections
The upcoming inspections are necessitated due to the detection of accelerated cracking in some wing spars of A380s. The jets in question were stored during the pandemic. The largest customer of the A380, Emirates, will see its planes returning to the Airbus factory for inspection and potential repairs.
Airbus initiated the establishment of an inspection facility explicitly for “A380 Emirates” in December. The project is anticipated to carry on until the third quarter of 2024, as noted by the Force Ouvriere union. As an incentive for the workers on this project, Airbus has pledged to pay special bonuses. These bonuses would apply retroactively from the end of last year, according to the union’s announcement.
Airbus and Emirates: Collaboration for Repairs
Emirates has acknowledged that the problem, while needing attention, does not pose an immediate safety concern. The airline also added that its operations would experience minimal impact due to the inspection and repair program. This program is based on specific timelines since the installation of each wing.
The Emirates spokesperson shared, “We’re working closely with Airbus and our MRO (maintenance and repair) partners to fulfill the wings inspection and repair requirements for our A380s.” The majority of the repair work would occur at Emirates’ Engineering Centre, with Airbus providing additional MRO support in Toulouse.
The length of grounding per jet would depend on the findings and subsequent repairs. However, it is expected to average around 60 days, as per the spokesperson.
Industry Shift Towards Smaller Models
It’s noteworthy that both Airbus and Boeing are reconfiguring parts of their largest and most iconic factory buildings. The industry’s focus is transitioning from the now-discontinued four-engined jumbo jets to smaller, more in-demand models. This shift is to accommodate the changes in air travel.
The A321neo is becoming a star in Airbus’ lineup. On Friday, Airbus revealed that the total orders for the A321neo have exceeded 5,000 units, making it the company’s most sold model.
Source: Reuters
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