What's Happening?
Safran Aerosystems is increasing its capacity for maintenance checks of evacuation slides at its facilities in Cognac and Ars, France. This expansion is driven by the growing fleet of commercial aircraft, with Safran producing a significant portion of the industry's slides. The company plans to double its capacity in three years to meet rising customer demand. Safran is the sole-source supplier for slides on several Airbus and Boeing aircraft models. The maintenance process involves time-consuming manual operations, including diagnosis and repair of foreign object damage and aging materials. Safran is also developing lighter slides for future aircraft programs.
Why It's Important?
The expansion of Safran's maintenance capacity is crucial for the aviation industry, ensuring the safety and reliability of evacuation slides on commercial aircraft. As the fleet of aircraft continues to grow, the demand for regular maintenance checks increases, highlighting the importance of Safran's role in the industry. This move also positions Safran to capture more market share and strengthen its competitive edge against rivals like Collins Aerospace. The development of lighter slides could lead to more efficient aircraft designs, potentially reducing fuel consumption and operational costs for airlines.
What's Next?
Safran plans to transfer some operations to Cognac from Ars, allowing for more slide checks at Ars. The company is hiring additional staff to support this expansion, with the local payroll expected to increase. The development of next-generation slides is ongoing, with potential applications in future commercial aircraft programs. Safran's strategic growth in maintenance capacity and slide innovation may lead to further collaborations with major aircraft manufacturers.
