Airbus is again one of the major participants at the International Aviation and Space Salon MAKS, which is…
Airbus is again one of the major participants at the International Aviation and Space Salon MAKS, which is being held in Zhukovsky, near Moscow, between the 16th and 21st August. Airbus` exhibition is located at the stand of its major shareholder EADS (Hall A).
Airbus` presence illustrates its long-term commitment to the Russian aviation sector, which began 15 years ago and which has been significantly strengthened recently with the implementation of an extensive industrial programme defined in an agreement between EADS, and Rosaviakosmos, signed in July 2001.
By the end of 2004, Airbus had offered Russian companies with contracts with a value of USD80 million per annum, a figure it intends to increase to USD110 million per annum in 2007. Airbus` Russian programme covers numerous research and technology projects, design work, material procurement and manufacturing subcontracts as well as wide cooperation in the certification field.
Since MAKS 2003, there have been many important developments in Airbus` partnership with the Russian aviation sector. They include the growth of operations and the workforce of ECAR (Engineering Centre Airbus in Russia) in Moscow; the progressive involvement of the Russian plants in the production of Airbus aircraft components; the upgrade of Aeroflot`s short-to medium-haul fleet with 18 new A320 Family aircraft and smooth operations of the A310 by Siberia Airlines. Nine airlines from Russia and CIS currently operate almost 40 Airbus aircraft.
MAKS 2005 also coincides with an important milestone in Airbus activity in Russia. Just ten years ago, during MAKS 1995, Airbus opened its regional office in Moscow to provide on site support in dealing with the Russian government, aviation authority, industry, airlines and media on development and implementation of the whole range of Airbus cooperation with Russia. Since then, Airbus Moscow office has played a key role in numerous commercial deals with Russian and CIS airlines and in cooperation programmes and projects with the Russian aeronautical industry. It is also in charge of a broad spectrum of activities, ranging from marketing and coordination of public relations, to the facilitation and development of future cooperation with Russian aviation industry.
At MAKS 2005 Airbus is presenting 1:20 scale models of the A330-200, A350 and A320 in the new Airbus livery along with 1:100 scale half models of the entire family of Airbus aircraft. Airbus` exhibition also includes a pylon cantilever of the A320 Family aircraft to be produced by a Russian plant as well as information panels devoted to its cooperation with airlines and industry in Russia. Visitors to the stand will be able to watch films on its highly-successful product line and its design and manufacturing centres, including ECAR.
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