FACC signs major cabin contract with Airbus

“In addition to a high level of comfort and sufficient space, the most important aspects of a passenger cabin are low weight, convenient handling, low operating costs and high reliability”, said Robert Machtlinger, CEO of FACC. “We strive to meet these requirements through consistent research work and by developing innovative and lightweight solutions creating more space in the cabin. With the new ‘Airspace’ cabin, Airbus offers its passengers an exceptional feel-good ambience. We are particularly happy that the Austrian high-tech enterprise FACC gets the chance to support this level of comfort by contributing technological advances for the A320 family.”

Apart from its aesthetics, the Airspace cabin concept launched by Airbus in the course of the Paris Airshow 2017 offers passengers a maximum of comfort and more space. The Airspace core elements: Ambience, Comfort, Services and Design are part of Airbus's passenger-friendly cabin development. Wider seats and aisles, atmospheric LED lighting, spacious entrance areas and lavatories featuring modern design, as well as bigger overhead stowage compartments make traveling on board of the Airbus aircraft more comfortable.

According to the present contract FACC will develop, in close cooperation with Airbus, the so-called ‘Airspace XL Bins’, the biggest overhead stowage compartments in the category of short and medium-haul aircraft. Series production will start in 2018.

The newly designed overhead stowage compartments will offer space for eight instead of previously five items of baggage. Furthermore, the luggage pieces may be up to 61 x 40.6 x 25.4cm in size and therefore significantly larger than before. In addition, FACC will deliver the ceiling panels, which, apart from their common function as panelling, will also provide for uniform illumination in the cabin. The task of FACC in the course of interior development is to implement the new Airbus cabin concept as best as possible and to ensure maximum luggage volume through new innovations.

FACC is currently working on the detail development of the individual components. According to the contract, the first deliveries for the Airspace cabin will be supplied to Airbus in late 2018. From the beginning of 2019 onward, Airbus will offer the new Airspace XL Bins, for the A320 aircraft to the airlines as an alternative interior to the current versions, which are also manufactured by FACC.

Owing to the great demand, the present order level of the A320 family is more than 5,000 aircraft. Moreover, the airlines may order the new Airspace cabin also to be upgraded in existing aircraft, of which currently more than 7,300 are operated by airlines.

“The success of the A320 family also substantially benefits FACC,” said Machtlinger. “The high sales figures give reason to expect a high demand of new as well as upgrade cabins and thus additional contract volume for FACC. The utilisation of the FACC Interiors division is thus ensured far beyond the year 2019, and FACC will more than fulfil its role as a job motor in Austria.”

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