Image: Airbus (YouTube video)
Day three of the Paris Air Show continued to see substantial aircraft orders being signed, industry-first technologies being launched to transform the way the sector works, sustainability announcements as well as impressive flying displays from the defence aircraft.
Immersive technology
Airbus launched its ‘immersive remote collaborative’ solution based on mixed reality technologies for aircraft interior customisation.
The new concept, which is the first of its kind in the industry, will transform the way Airbus defines aircraft cabins by enabling live and remote interactions with customers in an immersive virtual world. It is planned for industrialisation on the A320 family by 2025.
Catherine Jestin, Executive Vice President Digital and Information Management at Airbus, said, “We are leveraging the power of data and most advanced technologies to create engaging, interactive and realistic virtual experiences for our customers, accessible at any time, from anywhere in the world.”
Industry collaboration
There were a number of industry collaborations announced throughout the day, including a new hydrogen flight corridor project between Hamburg Airport and Rotterdam Airport, with a maiden hydrogen-only flight planned for 2026.
Wilma van Dijk, CEO of Rotterdam The Hague Airport, said, “By sharing our increasing expertise on hydrogen infrastructure and operations together with our innovation field lab, the parties involved are working together in an optimal way to accelerate the energy transition in the aviation sector.
Aircraft orders
It wouldn’t be Paris Air Show without a daily aircraft order announcement, and day three saw signings by Air Lease Corporation for two Boeing 787 Dreamliners, Indian airline Akasa Air for four 737-8s, and Avolon for 20 Airbus A330neo aircraft.
Embraer also announced a Letter of Agreement with Lanzhou Aviation Industry Development Group for 20 E190F and E195F E-Jets Passenger-to-Freight Conversions (P2F). Lanzhou Group will become the launch customer for Embraer’s P2F conversion in China, and the base in China for Embraer’s P2F conversions.
