Technology and Innovation
Passenger Aircraft
As a world leader in the air transportation industry, Airbus’ goal is to push the boundaries for new and better methods to apply the most advanced technology to continuously innovate its products, business and services.
Airbus applies proven technologies that provide real benefits for all stakeholders, whether in manufacturing, operations or maintenance. Such advances include the introduction of full fly-by-wire flight controls technology, employing advanced materials in its airframes and developing cockpit designs that improve pilot workload and efficiency.
The use of the latest on-board systems ensures that Airbus aircraft are more capable and reliable, and produce results at the highest level. Its introduction of a higher hydraulic operating pressure of 5,000 psi. results in smaller and lighter hydraulic system equipment, as well as less hydraulic fluid on board. The application of variable frequency generators provides more power with less weight and lower maintenance costs, along with increased reliability and time-between-removals.
Another innovation is the Airbus Brake to Vacate technology, which allows an aircraft to decelerate quickly and safely on landing while engaging the chosen runway exit at optimum conditions. Introduced as an option on the A380, it is now standard on the A350 XWB.
Boasting a dedicated team that constantly seeks to design more efficient and advanced aircraft, Airbus looks to make progress at every stage of production. Whether it’s the integration of new composite materials to make the aircraft lighter or winglets/sharklets to improve aerodynamics, Airbus continuously strives to make the next-generation of aircraft a reality.
Airbus’ global network of Bizlab innovation centres helps foster this spirit throughout the company, ensuring creative and innovative new ideas are implemented as quickly and efficiently as possible, helping provide solutions for the most critical challenges of 21st century aviation.
Four of Airbus’ final assembly lines are for the A320 Family, supporting sustained high-rate production for this best-selling single-aisle product line.
As one of the world’s leading builders of commercial aircraft, Airbus has an industrial presence that spans the globe. Initially starting with its milestone A300 programme, the company has constantly innovated to leverage the skills and know-how of its network of manufacturing locations – resulting in streamlined and efficient production of the company’s full family of jetliners.
Airbus maintains nine jetliner final assembly lines (FALs) at five locations worldwide, producing the full range of the company’s single-aisle and wide-body product lines. Four of these – located in Toulouse, France; Hamburg, Germany; Tianjin, China; and Mobile, Alabama, USA – are for the A320 Family. The Toulouse site also has final assembly lines for the wide-body A330, A350 XWB and A380 aircraft. The two A220 FALs are located in Mirabel, Quebec, Canada and Mobile, Alabama in the U.S.
With a truly worldwide industrial presence, Airbus benefits from the inherent cultural diversity of the sites, and is closer in proximity to the company’s customers and suppliers – creating an efficient, streamlined network for the production and support of its highly successful airliner fleet.
Whether it’s using big data to improve the efficiency of the maintenance process or utilising drones to inspect aircraft more quickly, Airbus seek to turn their innovation into profits for customers. Reducing the time that aircraft are on the ground presents valuable savings to airlines and operators as well as ensuring that aircraft go through the highest quality safety checks possible to enhance their already exceptional reliability.
