Facility Consolidated With Other Airbus Operations

Aero-News has learned Airbus recently inaugurated its new state-of-the-art AIRTAC (Airbus Technical Aircraft-on-ground Centre) support center, located in Hamburg, Germany. The aim of the AIRTAC team is to minimize on-the-ground-time for aircraft for trouble shooting and repairs.

The new AIRTAC facilities are fitted with the most innovative technology and leading-edge solutions. These enhancements represent a multi million Euro investment that will enable Airbus to provide its customers worldwide with improved technical support and an even wider range of engineering services. AIRTAC is a 365-day a year, 24-hour center where specialist engineers are available to help maintenance crews get aircraft operational again.

On-site technical help comes from resident customer support managers based in many locations around the world, backed up by further dedicated support from teams based in Europe.

The new state-of-the-art AIRTAC center -- working closely with the Spares Support Customer Order Desk based in Hamburg, Germany -- was designed to incorporate the growing number of engineers required to cope with the anticipated increased workload of 2006 due to fleet growth and the A380's entry into service, according to Airbus.

As well as moving into new facilities -- AIRTAC is now located with all other Airbus Customer Services -- a hotline has also been created for Customer Services Flight and Ground Information Services division. This hotline is dedicated to the software products delivered by Airbus Customer Services and is part of a new support strategy for Airbus software products.

"Airbus is continuously improving services to customers," said Airbus President and CEO, Gustav Humbert. "The new AIRTAC center, with its wider range of services, its increased capacity, 24 hour a day and dedicated team of engineers will guarantee that our customers will receive the most efficient technical support within the shortest possible time frame."

AIRTAC was first launched in 2003. Airbus states feedback from customers has remained very positive over the years, with a recent Customer Satisfaction Improvement Programme survey revealing AIRTAC satisfaction rates of more than 80 percent.

FMI: www.airbus.com