- Partnership with Airbus on the new A320 Airspace cabin successfully expanded
- Boosting innovation through the use of new technologies
- Contract value over 230 million euros
The aircraft manufacturer Airbus has been placing its trust in the innovations and services of FACC for several years. Currently this strategic partnership is being further expanded; in addition to the Airspace XL bins (overhead stowage compartments), FACC is now supplying the entrance area for the entire A320 aircraft family. The project also introduces a new technology: the Upper Austrian aerospace group is investing several million euros in a highly automated production line and creating an additional 100 highly qualified jobs.
The European aircraft manufacturer Airbus has been counting on FACC technology in its models for decades. Now, with the expansion and development of the A320 program package a new milestone has been reached in the longstanding partnership. “This continuation and expansion of the strategic partnership between Airbus and FACC is proof that we are further expanding our technology leadership. We deliver complete innovative solutions and our partner Airbus can place its confidence in us, our know-how, our customer orientation and our reliability,“ says Robert Machtlinger, CEO of FACC. In connection with the order, FACC is implementing additional technology investments on site, creating 100 highly qualified jobs and increasing the order backlog by 230 million euros.
The expansion includes a completely new work package. Since 1990 FACC has been supplying the A320 aircraft models with overhead stowage compartments and ceiling panels. Now the entrance area for the most successful Airbus aircraft family is also being manufactured by the Upper Austrian aerospace group. This comprises the entire lining of the entrance area as well as the door area including the ceiling panels in the front, middle and rear sections of the aircraft. “Our product is the first component the passenger sees when boarding. First impressions count and we ensure that the unique aesthetics chosen by Airbus and the high feel-good ambience of the new airspace cabin are implemented in a technically high-quality design," explains Robert Braunsberger, FACC Vice President of Interiors.
FACC develops and manufactures ready-to-install assembly modules equipped with various system components such as lighting systems, audio system or oxygen connections. FACC also provides the verification of approval. The A320 cabins boast the new airspace design which gives the cabin a new, open and modern flair. With the Airspace cabin, Airbus has raised the flight experience for passengers of the A320 family to the level of a wide-body aircraft. The airspace design is consistent with an A330neo and an A350 XWB. For the entrance areas, this means a unique feeling of welcome for the passengers, which FACC is now implementing with the latest technologies.
Seven-Figure Investment in Production Line
FACC is investing in its plants in order to produce a state-of-the-art entrance area for Airbus. “We will invest several million euros in expanding our production, above all in highly automated technologies. But this is also a commitment to our location and to our crew," commented Machtlinger. Production will focus on SMC (Sheet Molding Compound) technology which generates a noticeable cost reduction compared to similar products manufactured using conventional processes. “Investing in the SMC production line will be worthwhile and we will subsequently also offer other applications and assemblies using this process,“ Machtlinger concluded.