The latest Airbus facility, designated H259, is spread across 9,600 square meters and will handle the installation of components for the rear fuselages of the A321XLR aircraft.
Airbus has inaugurated a new automated A321XLR equipping hangar at its Hamburg site, a move that aims to bolster the production capacity and facilitate the rate ramp-up in the A320 program. The facility, designated H259, is spread across 9,600 square meters and will handle the installation of components for the rear fuselages of the A321XLR aircraft.
Dr Peter Tschentscher, First Mayor, the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg said, “Hamburg is the central location for Airbus’ single-aisle development and production. With the A321XLR, the new flagship of the A320 Family will be assembled at the Finkenwerder site, setting new standards in terms of sustainability, efficiency and range. The start of production in the new equipment installation hangar is an important project for Hamburg as the world’s third largest civil aviation center.”
Key highlights of the new hangar include:
Modernization and Digitalization: Airbus continues its efforts to modernize and digitalize its industrial system. The new hangar incorporates state-of-the-art technologies, such as automated logistics, fully digital systems, and test stations for monitoring the status of each fuselage section.
Efficient Production Flow: The hangar features an automated “pulse line” consisting of eight stations, where the almost 24-meter-long fuselage sections are equipped with electrical and mechanical systems, windows, floor panels, and other elements. Each fuselage section undergoes extensive testing post-installation before being transferred to the final assembly line.
Employee-Centric Design: The station layout was designed in collaboration with employees to optimize production flow and create an ergonomic and modern working environment. The focus was on fostering cooperation between production staff and supporting functions.
Sustainability: The structure was built sustainably, with a 3,000-square-meter photovoltaic system on the roof to supply electricity to the hangar. Surplus energy is directed to power the site. The office block also features extensive insulation and an automatic control system for heating, ventilation, and lighting.
“This investment in the A321XLR equipment installation hangar at the Airbus Hamburg site is an important milestone towards transitioning aviation to climate neutrality. This transformation is the key to making Germany a future-oriented and competitive aerospace location,” said Anna Christmann, the Federal Government Coordinator of German Aerospace Policy. “I am delighted that Airbus is positioning itself as a trailblazer in sustainable aviation and that we are pulling together to accelerate progress toward climate-neutral aviation even further,” she futher added.
The A321XLR is a long-range variant of Airbus’s A320 family of aircraft. It boasts improved range capabilities, making it suitable for long-haul operations. The new equipping hangar in Hamburg is expected to play a crucial role in the assembly and production of A321XLR aircraft.
The facility’s inauguration reinforces Hamburg’s significance as a central location for Airbus’s single-aisle development and production. It underscores Airbus’s commitment to sustainability, efficiency, and innovation in the aviation industry.
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The development of this hangar aligns with broader industry trends of embracing automation, digitalization, and sustainable practices to enhance aircraft production and reduce environmental impact. It also reflects Airbus’s dedication to maintaining its position as a leader in the aerospace sector by continually modernizing its operations and infrastructure.
