Manufacturer to roll out programme in bid to make ultra-large airliner's entry into service as smooth as possible
Airbus has devised a sophisticated support mechanism for the A380's entry into service, to ensure that the new giant's introduction is a smooth as possible for the launch customers. Dubbed "enhanced support", the programme will become the manufacturer's standard package for all new aircraft models entering service.
"The A380's size and its type of operation - long haul - means that a very good despatch reliability performance must be achieved at entry into service, so we will put in place the means for the airlines and Airbus to better anticipate, and react faster to, problems," says Gèrard Misrai, Airbus customer services division deputy vice-president engineering and technical support.
He says that new on-board diagnostics systems, better lines of communication between the "different players", as well as new ground services, will enable the plan to be implemented. "The four main players - the airline's main base; its outstations; the Airbus support division and the suppliers' support operations - will share the aircraft data in real time and use innovative tools to process the information," says Misrai.
Singapore Airlines will be the first airline to put the A380 into revenue service, with operations due to begin at its Changi hub early in the second quarter of 2006. Other early A380 operators include Emirates and Qantas.
Misrai says that the sheer size of the A380 - early operators are expected to configure the aircraft with over 500 seats - means that any reliability issues will create major disruptions. "Such a large number of passengers means there is very limited possibility to use substitution aircraft," he says.
The new support service will be offered to each airline for its first six to eight months of operation, as part of the introductory package. Misrai says Airbus has already had to decline the request of one airline to provide the service on a paid-for basis for the life of the A380, but intends this to be the standard for future new aircraft introductions.
MAX KINGSLEY-JONES / TOULOUSE
Source: Flight International
