FACC AG
Release from 17.05.2019
FACC performs cabin upgrade on Austrian Airlines A320 aircraft
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-• Austrian Airlines is the launch customer of FACC's 'Passenger Luggage Space Upgrade' retrofit program
FACC is celebrating yet another milestone in Aftermarket Services under the motto 'Get more space': At the beginning of 2019, the aerospace group received STC approval for its retrofit program 'Passenger Luggage Space Upgrade' from the European Aviation Safety Agency EASA. FACC has now retrofitted the cabins of three medium-haul aircraft for Austria's leading airline Austrian Airlines and has considerably increased overhead stowage space through the installation of redesigned doors. To date, three of the 36 aircraft in the AUA Airbus fleet, which is FACC's launch customers for this program, have been equipped with FACC's latest cabin innovations for test operation.
A small adjustment with a big impact
By slightly adjusting the shape of the door flap, FACC succeeded in increasing the stowage space for hand luggage significantly. This means that five trolleys instead of previously three now fit into one overhead stowage compartment. Weight has been reduced by 15 kilograms per A320 and 20 kilograms per A321 as a result of intelligent design improvements and the use of lighter materials.
'We are proud to be able to offer Austrian Airlines more efficiency in the operation of their aircraft with our upgrade package,' stresses Robert Machtlinger, CEO of FACC. 'The modified overhead stowage compartments not only provide significantly more stowage space, but also make any retrofitted aircraft lighter, thus contributing to the reduction of kerosene costs and emissions. The FACC innovation thus combines more stowage space for baggage and faster boarding with economic advantages and ecological benefits.'
The newly designed cabin doors also offer airlines a wide range of customization and branding options. The Interiors product not only enhances the atmosphere, but also improves the functionality of the cabin. Robust hinges, which can be easily mounted and dismounted, provide for more efficient maintenance.
'We are proud to be the launch customer of the FACC and to support innovations from Austria. The FACC Passenger Luggage Space Upgrade is a perfect complement to our cabin interiors and a good solution to considerably increase baggage volume,' says Michael Kaye, VP Technical Operations of Austrian Airlines.
FACC offers the Passenger Luggage Space Upgrade for the A318, A319, A320 and A321. The cabin upgrade can be installed by the airlines themselves or by external maintenance companies and takes between seven and nine hours, depending on the type of aircraft. It can thus literally be done 'overnight'. FACC provides free on-site training worldwide to assist with the initial installation, making use of its powerful infrastructure in America, Asia and Europe.
• Intelligent design made by FACC creates more luggage stowage space and increases efficiency in flight operations
FACC is celebrating yet another milestone in Aftermarket Services under the motto 'Get more space': At the beginning of 2019, the aerospace group received STC approval for its retrofit program 'Passenger Luggage Space Upgrade' from the European Aviation Safety Agency EASA. FACC has now retrofitted the cabins of three medium-haul aircraft for Austria's leading airline Austrian Airlines and has considerably increased overhead stowage space through the installation of redesigned doors. To date, three of the 36 aircraft in the AUA Airbus fleet, which is FACC's launch customers for this program, have been equipped with FACC's latest cabin innovations for test operation.
The more spacious overhead stowage compartments made their debut on 21 February 2019. The AUA Airbus A320 with the registration OE-LBR 'Bregenzer Wald' completed its maiden flight from Vienna to Frankfurt with the new cabin fittings on board. In March, the upgrades of the A320 OE-LBS 'Waldviertel' and the OE-LBN -'Osttirol' were completed. The retrofits of the three aircraft were carried out at Vienna Airport by AUA itself and at the airports of Kaunus and Tallinn by external maintenance companies, with FACC overseeing the initial installation within the framework of a training program. The installation of the cabin upgrade takes between seven and nine hours, depending on the type of aircraft.
A small adjustment with a big impact
By slightly adjusting the shape of the door flap, FACC succeeded in increasing the stowage space for hand luggage significantly. This means that five trolleys instead of previously three now fit into one overhead stowage compartment. Weight has been reduced by 15 kilograms per A320 and 20 kilograms per A321 as a result of intelligent design improvements and the use of lighter materials.
'We are proud to be able to offer Austrian Airlines more efficiency in the operation of their aircraft with our upgrade package,' stresses Robert Machtlinger, CEO of FACC. 'The modified overhead stowage compartments not only provide significantly more stowage space, but also make any retrofitted aircraft lighter, thus contributing to the reduction of kerosene costs and emissions. The FACC innovation thus combines more stowage space for baggage and faster boarding with economic advantages and ecological benefits.'
The newly designed cabin doors also offer airlines a wide range of customization and branding options. The Interiors product not only enhances the atmosphere, but also improves the functionality of the cabin. Robust hinges, which can be easily mounted and dismounted, provide for more efficient maintenance.
'We are proud to be the launch customer of the FACC and to support innovations from Austria. The FACC Passenger Luggage Space Upgrade is a perfect complement to our cabin interiors and a good solution to considerably increase baggage volume,' says Michael Kaye, VP Technical Operations of Austrian Airlines.
FACC offers the Passenger Luggage Space Upgrade for the A318, A319, A320 and A321. The cabin upgrade can be installed by the airlines themselves or by external maintenance companies and takes between seven and nine hours, depending on the type of aircraft. It can thus literally be done 'overnight'. FACC provides free on-site training worldwide to assist with the initial installation, making use of its powerful infrastructure in America, Asia and Europe.
About Austrian Airlines
Austrian Airlines is Austria's leading airline. The once state-owned and still convincing red-white-red airline operates a route network of around 130 destinations. Thanks to its favourable geographical location and Austrian history as a melting pot of the former crown lands, its home airport Vienna Schwechat is still a hub between East and West today. About 120 of the 400 daily flights lead to Central and Eastern Europe. 'AUA', as it is often abbreviated in Austria, transports around 14 million passengers a year and employs 7,000 staff from 58 nations. AUA has been part of the Lufthansa Group since 2009. Austrian Airlines is also a member of the Star Alliance, the first global alliance of international airlines. Austrian Airlines has been in the black since 2012. It celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2018. Here you can find pretty nice photos of AUA and its charming crew: https://www.flickr.com/photos/austrianairlinespress/albums
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About FACC
FACC is a worldwide leading aerospace company in design, development and production of innovative aircraft components and systems. Being the technology partner of all major manufacturers, FACC works together with its customers on developing solutions for the mobility of the future. Every second, there is an aircraft taking off with FACC technology on board. In full year 2017/18, FACC achieved more than 750 million Euro in revenues. FACC employs 3,500 people from 38 nations and working in 13 countries worldwide. The company is listed in the ATX of the Vienna Stock Exchange and part of the Fortune-500 Group AVIC, providing access to the largest growth markets within the industry. For more information please visit facc.com.
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FACC AG published this content on 17 May 2019 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 17 May 2019 16:42:06 UTC
