This agreement will provide Ethiopian Airlines with dedicated on-site stock in Addis-Abeba, access to Airbus material pools worldwide, as well as repair and engineering support for a wide range of critical rotable parts.

By leveraging Airbus’ extensive engineering expertise, Ethiopian Airlines will benefit from guaranteed component availability, rapid access to essential parts, and optimised maintenance processes.

This will ensure minimal aircraft downtime and maximise operational reliability across its global network.

Retta Melaku, chief operating officer of Ethiopian Airlines, said:

“As the first African operator of the A350 Family, we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of performance and reliability across our fleet. Partnering long-term with Airbus through this FHS agreement will help us optimise operations, reduce maintenance-related delays, and ensure our passengers continue to experience the best in safety, comfort, and service.”

Laurent Negre, vice president of Customer Services for Airbus Africa and Middle East, said:

“This partnership reinforces Airbus’ commitment to delivering tailor-made maintenance solutions that support airlines in achieving the highest levels of operational efficiency. We are proud to support Ethiopian Airlines with our Flight Hour Services solution to enhance fleet reliability and streamline maintenance operations for its A350s.”

Ethiopian Airlines has been a long-standing Airbus partner and was the first African carrier to operate both A350-900, in June 2016 and A350-1000, which entered service in November 2024.

Airbus Flight Hour Services (FHS) provides a comprehensive maintenance solution designed to help airlines ensure component reliability and availability while controlling maintenance costs.

Through a combination of pooled inventory, on-site stock, and tailored repair and engineering support, FHS helps carriers optimise operations and improve fleet reliability.

More than 1,400 aircraft worldwide are currently covered by Airbus FHS agreements.

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The first of its kind to be operated by an African-based operator, the A350-1000 will enable Ethiopian Airlines to enhance its premium service on key destinations including Washington D.C., London, Paris and Frankfurt.

To date, Ethiopian Airlines operates a fleet of 21 A350 Family aircraft. A total of 14 additional A350 aircraft are set to join the airline’s fleet in the coming years, including 11 A350-900 and three additional A350-1000. The A350-1000 will provide great operational commonality with the A350-900 fleet, ensuring seamless integration with shared pilots and mechanics simplifying training and maintenance processes.

With a total capacity of 395 seats, the A350-1000 will increase Ethiopian Airlines’ passenger capacity and provide enhanced passenger experience in the largest business class cabin in the airline’s fleet. Ethiopian Airlines will also introduce Airbus’ new HBCplus satcom connectivity solution, offering seamless, high-speed gate-to-gate connectivity.

The A350 is the world’s most modern and efficient widebody aircraft and the long-range leader in the 300-410 seater category. The A350’s clean sheet design includes state-of-the-art technologies and aerodynamics delivering unmatched standards of efficiency and comfort.

The A350’s unique Airspace cabin is the quietest of any twin-aisle in the sky featuring a 50% noise footprint reduction versus the previous generation aircraft. It offers passengers and crews the latest modern in-flight products for a comfortable flying experience. The aircraft’s new generation engines and use of lightweight materials make it the most fuel efficient large widebody aircraft.

As with all Airbus aircraft, the A350 aircraft is already able to operate with up to 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Airbus is targeting to have its aircraft up to 100% SAF capable by 2030.

By the end of September 2024, 1,340 A350s had been ordered by 60 customers worldwide, making it one of the most successful widebody aircraft ever. Click here for more information on the A350 Family.

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Gabriel Semelas brings more than 24 years of experience in the aeronautical industry, having held key senior executive roles.

He returns to Airbus from his current position as Chief Commercial and Financial Officer at Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH in Germany.

Prior to that, he led the contracts team for Airbus’ Commercial Aircraft business in Africa and the Middle East.

In his new role, Gabriel Semelas will be responsible for overseeing Airbus’ operations across all the company’s divisions in the Africa and Middle East region, a key area for Airbus strategic development.

Wouter Van Wersch, executive vice president International at Airbus, said: “Gabriel’s extensive background in the aeronautical industry, coupled with his proven leadership skills, makes him the ideal candidate to lead Airbus’ operations in Africa and the Middle East. We are confident that under his leadership, we will continue to strengthen our presence and partnerships in this strategically important region.”

“I am honoured to take on this responsibility at such a pivotal time for Airbus in Africa and the Middle East. I look forward to working with our talented teams and partners to drive growth and innovation in this dynamic market,” said Gabriel Semelas.

Gabriel Semelas succeeds Mikail Houari, who has played a crucial role in expanding Airbus’ footprint in the region over the past years.

With a significant presence throughout the Middle East and Africa, Airbus employs more than 3,300 people and remains committed to delivering industry leading products and services to customers across the region. The company actively sources supplies and components from local companies and provides comprehensive technical support to its partners. Airbus has also launched several initiatives aimed at developing skills and talent in the region, nurturing the future leaders of the aerospace industry.

The post Airbus Appoints Gabriel Semelas as President for Africa and Middle East appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

This newly established centre will contribute to strengthening Airbus’ local presence and supporting the growth of the African ecosystem. Serving as a hub for customers in the region, the new office will provide tailored support and enhance operational efficiency.

The Customer Support Centre will drive the development of existing local capabilities ensuring access to maintenance and training resources while fostering a stronger, more collaborative ecosystem in the region.

By supporting the growth of the local aviation industry, Airbus aims to empower airlines and reinforce their autonomy. This will not only benefit airlines but the entire industry and local workforce.

“With the rapid expansion of the latest generation aircraft on the continent, Africa requires additional dedicated support and skills to meet the increasing demand for intra-African and international connectivity,” says Laurent Negre, VP Customer Services Africa and Middle East at Airbus. “We are proud to open this new office to increase our proximity to customers while continuing to support the development of solutions for Africa, in Africa, and by Africa.”

Airbus’ most recent Global Market Forecast, predicts that commercial demand for the African continent will reach 1460 passenger and freight aircraft by 2043, comprising 1210 single-aisle aircraft and 250 widebody aircraft.

Additionally, Airbus’ Global Services Forecast estimates that Africa will need to introduce 15 000 additional pilots, 20 000 mechanics to meet the surge in air travel demand.

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Airbus and BMW Group launch a global Quantum Computing Challenge entitled “The Quantum Mobility Quest” to tackle the most pressing challenges in aviation and automotive that have remained insurmountable for classical computers.

This challenge is the first-of-its-kind, bringing together two global industry leaders to harness quantum technologies for real-world industrial applications, unlocking the potential to forge more efficient, sustainable and safer solutions for the future of transportation.

“This is the perfect time to shine a spotlight on quantum technology and its potential impact on our society. Partnering with an industry leader like BMW Group enables us to mature the technology as we need to bridge the gap between scientific exploration and its potential applications. We’re seeking the best-in-class students, PhDs, academics, researchers, start-ups, companies, or professionals in the field, worldwide to join our challenge to create a massive paradigm shift in the way aircraft are built and flown.” says Isabell Gradert, Vice President Central Research and Technology at Airbus.

“Following the success of previous editions of Quantum Computing Challenges by BMW Group and Airbus, we are gearing up for a new wave of innovation, exploring the technology capabilities for sustainability and operational excellence,” said Dr. Peter Lehnert, Vice-President, Research Technologies at BMW Group.

“The BMW Group is clearly aiming at positioning itself at the crossroads of quantum technology, the global ecosystem, and cutting-edge solutions. By doing so, we strongly believe in major advances when it comes to sustainable materials for batteries and fuel cells, to generate unique and efficient designs, or to enhance the overall user experience in the BMW Group Products”.

Quantum computing has the potential to significantly enhance computational power and to enable the most complex operations that challenge even today’s best computers.

In particular, for data-driven industries like the transportation sector, this emerging technology could play a crucial role in simulating various industrial and operational processes, opening up opportunities to shape future mobility products and services.

Challenge candidates are invited to select one or more problem statements: improved aerodynamics design with quantum solvers, future automated mobility with quantum machine learning, more sustainable supply chain with quantum optimisation, and enhanced corrosion inhibition with quantum simulation.

Additionally, candidates can put forward their own quantum technologies with the potential to develop native apps yet to be explored in the transportation sector.

The challenge is hosted by The Quantum Insider (TQI) and divided into two parts, a four-month phase where participants will develop a theoretical framework for one of the given statements, and a second phase during which selected finalists will implement and benchmark their solutions.

Amazon Web Services (AWS) provides candidates with an opportunity to run their algorithms on the cloud quantum computing service.

A jury composed of world-leading quantum experts will team up with experts from Airbus, BMW Group, and AWS to evaluate submitted proposals and award one winning-team with a €30,000 prize in each of the five challenges, by the end of 2024.

Registration opens today, and submissions will be accepted from mid-January through April 30, 2024 HERE.

The post Help Airbus and BMW Group Tackle Their Pressing Mobility Challenges via this Quantum Computing Competition appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has taken initiatives to strengthen access to finance for African airlines and support the development and growth of the aviation sector in Africa.

In June, the AfDB organized workshops in collaboration with aircraft manufacturers Airbus and ATR.

During the workshops, discussions were held regarding the bank’s financing instruments, including guarantee products, credit risk assessments, and the outlook for Africa’s aircraft market.

The AfDB is exploring the feasibility of establishing an aircraft leasing platform, as operating leases constitute a significant portion of operational fleets globally.

Also during the workshops,  the participating parties focused on various sources of financing, such as export credit agencies, multilateral development banks, non-payment insured financing, and sovereign support.

These discussions aimed to explore different avenues for financing aircraft acquisition and development in Africa.

Although Africa’s economies are expected to rebound to growth from the pandemic through economic recovery projected to lead to the delivery of 1,230 wide and single aisle new aircraft and 230 turboprop planes through 2040, it is still important to note that the COVID-19 era severely impacted the sector.

Prior to that, African aviation represented a roughly 3% share of the global market, despite occupying 17% of the world’s population.

This is due to a difficult operating environment that includes constrained access to credit, only a few African airlines are profitable. High operating costs, coupled with low passenger traffic, drive fare hikes as carriers try to increase their profitability.

As a result, air transport remains unaffordable for the average African.  In recent years, airfares for intra-Africa flights are observed to be 2-3 times higher than in other regions of the world.

Despite efforts by governments, public institutions and private stakeholders, a large share of air traffic flows through a few airports, particularly those of Cairo, Johannesburg, Casablanca, and Addis Ababa, leaving many other routes un- and under-served.

A recent study undertaken by the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) suggests that implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area will lead to a 28% increase in intra-African freight demand through 2030. That projected growth will require 250 additional aircraft, which will need to be financed.

This is why this collaboration is important, with AfDB’s efforts aimed at supporting the recovery and growth of the industry. By enhancing access to finance and developing tailored financing instruments, the AfDB aims to facilitate the expansion of air travel and boost the air transport market in Africa.

The post AfDB, Airbus and ATR Collaborate to Boost Africa’s Commercial Aviation appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

Furthermore, about 7,000 of these hires will be for new positions within the organization. As a result, the new personnel will be critical in supporting the company’s industrial ramp-up as well as Airbus’ ambitious decarbonization strategy and preparing for the future of aviation.

“In 2022, we welcomed almost 13,000 new Team Airbus workers around the world, in a tough environment that challenged our resilience and appeal as a global employer,” stated Thierry Baril, Airbus’ Chief Human Resources and Workplace Officer. “Following the success of our recruitment last year, we will hire over 13,000 employees again in 2023.

We invite bright individuals from around the world to join us on our path to making sustainable aerospace a reality, as well as to assist us in creating a better, more diverse, and inclusive workplace for all of our employees,” he added.

This new global recruiting drive will focus on technical and manufacturing profiles, as well as the acquisition of new skills to support the Company’s long-term ambition in areas such as new energy, cyber, and digital.

More than 9,000 of these posts will be in Europe and the rest throughout our global network. Furthermore, a third of the total recruitment will be for recent graduates.

Airbus currently employs more than 130,000 people across its businesses worldwide. The Company also recently won the Top Employers certification in Europe, North America, and Asia Pacific by the Top Employers Institute.

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