HAMBURG- Airbus is taking significant strides in its industrial evolution and capacity expansion, marked by the inauguration of a cutting-edge automated A321XLR equipping hangar.
Hamburg’s First Mayor, Peter Tschentscher, and German Aerospace Coordinator, Anna Christmann, graced the unveiling ceremony.
Airbus A321XLR Equipment Hangar
This move forms a pivotal part of Airbus’ digitalization and modernization strategy for its industrial framework, aiming to fortify its capabilities in tandem with the A320 program’s rate ramp-up to 75 by 2026.
André Walter, Head of Airbus Commercial Aircraft Production in Germany, emphasized the pivotal role played by Airbus’ Hamburg site in A321XLR’s development and production.
The newly inaugurated advanced hangar signifies an expansion of the facility’s capacity to manufacture A321 fuselages, a vital aspect of supporting the ongoing ramp-up. Additionally, this investment underscores Hamburg’s significance within the Airbus framework.
Walter further highlighted that the structure’s design mirrors the latest production and sustainability standards.
Executive Insights
Dr Peter Tschentscher, First Mayor of Hamburg, highlighted the city’s central status in Airbus’ single-aisle development and production operations.
With the A321XLR poised as the flagship of the A320 Family, its assembly at the Finkenwerder site is expected to redefine sustainability, efficiency, and range benchmarks.
This new equipment installation hangar’s commencement of production marks a momentous milestone for Hamburg, solidifying its status as the world’s third-largest civil aviation center.
“The establishment of the A321XLR equipment installation hangar at Airbus’ Hamburg facility marks a significant stride toward ushering aviation into a realm of climate neutrality,” affirmed Anna Christmann, the Federal Government Coordinator of German Aerospace Policy.
This transformation holds the key to propelling Germany into a future-ready and competitive aerospace hub.
Christmann expressed her enthusiasm about Airbus’s pioneering in fostering sustainable aviation, emphasizing the collaborative efforts to accelerate progress toward achieving climate-neutral aviation goals.
Carefully Designed Hangar
Within the expansive confines of the new equipment installation hangar, spanning 9,600 square meters of production area and designated as H259, meticulous assembly of all elements constituting the rear fuselages of the A321XLR aircraft—also manufactured in Hamburg—will unfold.
This state-of-the-art facility is equipped with a comprehensive array of cutting-edge technologies for seamless operations and manufacturing.
These include automated logistics systems, fully digitalized processes, and testing stations with real-time output capabilities that provide insights into the status of each fuselage segment, encompassing both logistical aspects and resource utilization.
On a streamlined ‘pulse line’ comprising eight stations, each approximately 24-meter-long fuselage section undergoes a meticulously automated process of system integration.
This process encompasses the incorporation of electrical and mechanical systems alongside components like windows, floor panels, and external antennas.
Following system installation, every fuselage section undergoes thorough testing. Once these rigorous quality checks are completed, the fuselage sections are seamlessly transferred to the final assembly line in Hamburg.
The layout of the new hangar stations was carefully devised through collaborative discussions with employees, aiming to achieve a seamless production flow and create a contemporary and ergonomic work environment.
Moreover, the interior design was meticulously crafted to foster optimal collaboration between production staff and supporting functions.
Sustainable Focus
The construction of the facility was executed with a strong focus on sustainability. The roof features a photovoltaic system spanning 3,000 square meters, generating electricity to power the hangar while any surplus energy contributes to the site’s energy needs.
On the southern side of the hangar, the office block boasts superior insulation levels, achieved through extensive insulation of both the ceiling and walls.
A comprehensive automated control system governs heating, ventilation, and lighting, serving as a complementary measure to enhance the facility’s efficiency.
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