Airbus' Middle East Material and Logistics centre enhances its support capabilities
One of the top priorities at Airbus is keeping its customer airlines’ jetliner fleets flying productively, day after day.
To meet the requirements of a growing aircraft presence in the Middle East region, Airbus’ Dubai-based Material and Logistics Centre is now expanding the scope and range of services offered to operators.
This modern facility is located in the Dubai Airport Free Zone and provides 3,700 square metres of climate-controlled storage capacity.
Since its opening in April 2008, the centre’s capabilities have been expanded with the setup of an airworthiness-approved avionics and electronics repair facility, the sub-lease of a storage area for hazardous materials, the growth of a “vendor village” that now hosts representatives from 11 Airbus suppliers, and a newly-established repair station for tools and ground support equipment.
“The Material and Logistics Centre is part of Airbus’ strategy to be even closer to its customers in supporting their aircraft,” said Joerg Helmerichs, the senior director of material, logistics and suppliers for the Dubai-based Airbus Middle East subsidiary. “This dynamic region is home to a growing number of Airbus jetliners – from the single-aisle A320 Family to the A380.”
A major focus of the Material and Logistics Centre is the A380, which is now in service with Emirates, whose home base is situated at the adjacent Dubai International Airport. Emirates is the A380’s largest single customer with 58 aircraft on order – five of which are currently in service. Other Middle East customers for Airbus’ 21st century flagship jetliner include Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways.
The facility’s inventory of items ranges from brackets and placards to wing and tail control surfaces. Certain components are extra large: as an example, an A380 wing flap is nine metres long and weighs 4.1 metric tonnes.
One of the Material and Logistics Centre’s newest additions is an avionics and electronics repair shop, which is capable of Level 3 repair – involving the replacement of parts on motherboards. The repair shop is owned by asscom Middle East, an international solutions provider in mission-critical equipment and spares, and its establishment was the result of a close collaboration with Airbus.
“The airlines are extremely pleased to have an electronics and avionics repair capability for Airbus aircraft in the region, so this is an important new service that is now available to them,” Helmerichs said. “It represents another step in how we are committed to meeting the services, support and logistics needs of our customers for the long term.”
