Airbus’s Hamburg assembly and completions complex now includes a new “customer definition centre” dedicated to the A350.
Speaking at the grand reveal of the design and configuration evaluation complex – which has already hosted early A350 customers – the airframer’s head of cargo and cabin Jorg Schuler said the CDC concept was about providing a “unique and premium space” for “one-stop customisation”.
In addition to showrooms displaying seat, fabric and colour options and mock-up cabins from the A350 standard catalogue, the facility includes 3D modelling tools and mock-up spaces allowing customers to experience the full-size feel of cabin layouts including seat, monument, and door positions.
Airlines can specify their own interior configuration and CDC-based designers are on hand to help them realise their A350 visions – but, says senior vice-president marketing Chris Emerson, Airbus has also created the definition centre concept as a way of keeping “close control” over the process, to prevent customisation from causing production line delays once the programme is in delivery mode.
The CDC is also a research platform to identify new interiors concepts as the A350 programme evolves, says Schuler. The facility can host two customers simultaneously in separate spaces, to protect design privacy.
Source: Flight Daily News
