Honeywell selected for A380 Flight Management System

Airbus has selected Honeywell to supply the Flight Management System (FMS) for all its A380 aircraft. The company's Phoenix, Arizona-based aerospace business will provide the systems for the world's largest airliner, scheduled to enter service in 2006. The computer-driven FMS manages the aircraft's navigation systems and assists the pilots in flying optimum routings, climbs and descents. Honeywell anticipates this contract to generate revenues of $200 million over the next 20 years, including original equipment sales and aftermarket business.

"In its continuing search for excellence in this landmark program, Airbus has come to the United Stats once again to supply another critical element of the A380," said Allan McArtor, Chairman of Airbus North America Holdings, Inc. "Our relationship with Honeywell dates back to the early 1980s and has grown exponentially since then. We are very pleased to expand our business with them further as a result of this contract."

Honeywell's state-of-the-art FMS system features new hardware for greater speed and will use a graphic display with pop-up menus and cursor controls rather than the conventional text-based interface. The system will still be operated by a keyboard, but will require less typing due to item selection availability, resulting in time savings and fewer entry errors.

Airbus has firm orders and commitments for 97 A380s from nine customers, including Air France, Emirates, FedEx, ILFC, Lufthansa, Qantas, Qatar, Singapore and Virgin Atlantic.

Designed in close collaboration with major airlines, airports and airworthiness authorities, the A380 superjumbo is the most advanced, spacious and efficient airliner ever conceived. The A380 embodies the most advanced technologies, providing 15 to 20 percent lower operating costs than the largest aircraft flying today, 10 to 15 percent more range, as well as lower fuel burn, less noise and lower emissions. The A380 will enter airline service in early 2006, setting a completely new standard in air travel.

With some 4,400 orders booked to date from around 180 customers worldwide, Airbus is a leading manufacturer in the market for large commercial aircraft. Headquartered in Toulouse (France), Airbus is an EADS joint Company with BAE Systems.

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