Abstract

In 1999, the European aircraft manufacturer Airbus initiated the A380 project to manufacture the world’s first double-decker aircraft with a passenger seating capacity of more than 800. Airbus adopted a decentralized manufacturing process. The centers which manufactured various parts were spread out across Europe and the final assembly was done at Toulouse, France. Materials like composites and GLARE, which reduced the overall weight of the aircraft, were used in the manufacture of the A380. The case details the design and manufacturing process of A380. It also highlights the technical features of the aircraft.

Learning Objectives

The case is structured to achieve the following Learning Objectives:

• Study the design and manufacturing process of Airbus 380
• Examine the technical features of the aircraft.

Keywords

Airbus, Boeing, Technology Development, Aircraft Manufacturing, Product Lifecycle Management, Global Collaborative Environment, Composite Material, Aircraft Design, Technological Innovation, Aerospace Industry, GLARE, Carbon-fiber Reinforced Plastic, Modular Avionics, Power-by-wire Flight Controls, Aircraft Assembly, Models of A380