Airbus unveils new manufacturing subsidiary

Europe-based global major aerospace group Airbus announced on Monday that it had established a new and wholly-owned subsidiary, named Airbus Atlantic. Formally set up on January 1, it is focused on aerostructures.

The new subsidiary has been created by combining the already existing Airbus facilities at Nantes and Montoir-de-Bretagne, both in France, and also the network of sites within and beyond Europe that composed STELIA Aerospace (which was itself a wholly-owned subsidiary of Airbus). The creation of Airbus Atlantic is part of the restructuring programme announced by the Airbus group in April last year.

Aerostructures are a core business for Airbus. The new subsidiary is intended to strengthen the aerostructure assembly value chain within the group. This, in turn, is aimed at increasing Airbus’ competitiveness, quality and innovation in the segment.

“At the heart of Airbus, Airbus Atlantic aims at meeting the great challenges linked to a sustainable aviation industry, pioneering new technologies,” explained Airbus Atlantic CEO Cédric Gautier. “Our first mission will be to ensure the satisfaction of all our customers and to establish new standards of excellence in terms of quality and operational efficiency. I have full confidence in the talent, enthusiasm and commitment of the Airbus Atlantic teams to write this new chapter in our history with success.”

Airbus Atlantic ranks second in the world in terms of aerostructures. It ranks first regarding the production of seats for pilots and is in the top three in the production of first-class and business-class passenger seats. Its passenger seats will continue to be marketed using the STELIA Aerospace brand.

The new subsidiary has an estimated business volume of €3.5-billion and has a workforce of 13 000. Its facilities are spread across five countries and three continents (Europe, Africa and North America), with its African facilities located at Casablanca in Morocco and Tunis in Tunisia.