Strata delivers first A350 aircraft parts to Airbus

Strata, the wholly-owned manufacturing business of Abu Dhabi’s state-owned Mubadala Aerospace, completed delivery of its first set of A350-900 inboard flaps to Airbus, it said yesterday.

The European manufacturer Airbus selected Strata to manufacture the parts in 2015. The flaps are designed to help the aircraft secure greater lift during take-off and landing, when speed is relatively low.

“We are investing in innovative techniques to produce these components, including processes like automatic tape layering and adaptive machine fixtures, in line with industry best practice,” said Ismail Ali Abdulla, the Strata chief executive.

The parts will be incorporated into A350s from January and Strata said it expects to increase production of the components over the next two years as part of its plans to expand operations in the global aerospace industry.

For example, last Sunday, Strata signed a joint venture deal with the Belgian composite materials firm Solvay to supply Boeing – marking its entry into advanced materials manufacturing for aerospace companies.

Also last week, Strata’s parent Mubadala said it would invest Dh82.5 million in research and development for its aerospace, renewables and ICT sector over the next five years.

The partnership between Strata and Airbus goes back nine years and includes landmark deals such as a co-operation agreement in 2008, giving Strata capability to manufacture complete assemblies for A330, A340 and A380 aircraft.

“The impending delivery of flight critical and complete assemblies to the Airbus Final Assembly Line in Toulouse reinforces Strata’s status as a tier-one supplier to Airbus,” Mr Abdulla said.

Franck Martin, the head of Airbus Procurement Aerostructures, added: “The delivery of the first shipset of A350 inboard flaps to Airbus is a major milestone in the Airbus and Strata relationship.”