Five percent of A350 XWB Airframe To Be Made In China, China Southern's First A380 Gets A Tail

CAC Commercial Aircraft Company, one of the largest aviation companies in China signed a contract Wednesday with Airbus for the work package of A350 XWB spoilers and droop panels. With the new contract, Airbus has completed the allocation of the five percent A350 XWB airframe to be manufactured in China. 

The contract was signed in Beijing by Klaus Richter, Airbus Executive Vice President Procurement, and Wang Guangya, President and Chairman of CAC, the holding company of CCAC, and Chairman of CCAC.

Airbus (Beijing) Engineering Center, a joint venture of Airbus in China, will be involved in the design activities relating to this work package.

Carbon fiber reinforced plastic is extensively used on A350 XWB spoiler and droop panels. Innovative processes include the resin transfer molding process on the center hinge fitting that attaches the spoiler to the wing structure.   

Airbus A350 XWB File Photo

While CCAC will become the sole supplier of the A350 XWB spoilers and droop panels, FACC AG will be responsible, under a separate contract, for the definition of the industrial process. Airbus worldwide industrial standards will be applied for the assessment of the products and the training of employees. 

“We are proud to be involved in the latest Airbus aircraft program. With this contract, we have reached our objective to be part of a global aeronautical manufacturing chain. We have long been a supplier to Airbus and have been a partner in several cooperation projects with Airbus. We cherish this opportunity very much to cooperate with Airbus and with FACC,” said Wang Guangya, President and Chairman of CAC and Chairman of CCAC.

“With this work package, we have accomplished our commitment to manufacture five percent of the A350 XWB airframe in China,” said Klaus Richter, Airbus Executive Vice President, Procurement. “Besides, this is also an important step forward for Airbus to develop a truly global industrial and engineering footprint, which helps Airbus to create a competitive cost base and access talented global resources,” he added.

Firm orders for the A350 XWB now stand at 528 from 33 customers worldwide.

And also marking the celebration, China Southern Airlines' first A380 has been fitted with its new tail section at the Airbus Final Assembly Line located in Toulouse, France.

The impressive tail, when joined at the fuselage, stands a whopping 78 feet from the ground.

China Southern Airlines is a new A380 customer and will begin operations in 2011.  They currently have five A380s on order.

FMI: www.airbus.com