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Airbus targets for $2 billion India procurement and completes Navtech takeover
March 11th 2016
In a first for a foreign original equipment manufacturer (OEM), Airbus Group exceeded the $500 million annual procurement mark from India in 2015. Read More »
Above 6,000 people at more than 45 both public and private suppliers, are directly engaged in providing engineering and information technology services, aero-structures, detail parts and systems, materials and cabins to the Airbus Group for the A380, A350 XWB, A320 Family, A330, C295W, A400M, Eurofighter, Tiger and NH90.
The group has set its sights on exceeding $2 billion in cumulative procurement, covering both civil and defence, up to 2020.
India is a key market for the A320 Family, with 430 of the single-aisle jets on order at LCC IndiGo Airlines alone, the first of which was delivered from Toulouse to Delhi on Thursday. On a similar, though much slower development trajectory to China, India is forecast to build its own aircraft, likely with input of conglomerate Tata Group, which also holds equity in AirAsia India and Vistara.
Separately, Airbus’ first U.S.-built A321 left the paint shop in Mobile, Alabama on Friday and is scheduled to be delivered to JetBlue “this spring”.
In Toulouse on Wednesday, Airbus completed the first A321neo test flight with Pratt & Whitney (P&W) PurePower Geared Turbofan (GTF) engines. The PW1135G-JM, a 35,000 thrust class engine, is the most powerful engine on the A321neo, said Pratt & Whitney, because it allows for an increased payload/range when flying out of high-altitude airports greater than 4,000 feet, such as Mexico City.
“The Geared Turbofan engine architecture also allows room for growth, as demonstrated by the additional 2% fuel burn enhancement offered to operators to reinforce the A320neo’s 20% fuel burn savings by 2020,” said Pratt &Whitney president commercial engine programs, Greg Gernhardt.
In Canada, Airbus has completed the 100% acquisition of Canadian avionics firm Navtech. The Ontario-based company offers a suite of solutions for electronic flight bags, aeronautical charts, navigation data, performance-based navigation, flight planning, aircraft performance and crew planning. It employs 250 workers. Airbus has confirmed current CEO, Mike Hulley, will continue to lead Navtech.
