Today, at the Le Bourget airshow Airbus rewarded its top ten suppliers for their commitment and continued product quality during the supplier support awards ceremony.

The top ten Airbus suppliers are presented with awards in two categories. This year four of them will be awarded for 'Exceptional Customer Support Performance', and six for 'Outstanding Customer Support Performance'.

'Exceptional Customer Support Performance' awards go to: Airbus Avionics, KID Systeme, Diehl Avionik Systeme and AOA-LGG. 'Outstanding Customer Support Performance' awards go to: Parker, Vibro-Meter, Technofan, Goodrich Fuel and Utility Systems, Smiths Aerospace and Aircruisers.

For over ten years the Airbus rating system has been evaluating suppliers support performance in terms of the product, service and cost. The rating system has continually evolved with the aim of helping our customers ensure they receive the best performance from their aircraft. Airbus has defined standards that allow the measurement of suppliers' performance.

Supplier performance is measured by Airbus and its customer airlines. This year 35 suppliers were rated and over 100 airlines contributed to the assessment, with over 4500 survey questionnaires returned.

Airbus analyses this direct feedback from customers allied with suppliers' reports on their respective performance in order to evaluate areas for further improvement, thus driving the improvement action plans for the suppliers.

The best suppliers results define a benchmark for product reliability, technical assistance, service, repairs performance, spares delivery and customer communications. Maintenance costs and spares prices are also a primary factor for customer satisfaction.

Commenting on the achievements, Patrick Gavin, Executive Vice President Customer Services, said: "I would like to congratulate our best suppliers that strive to achieve the highest levels of customer satisfaction. I would also like to mention that we are delighted to see such a good combination of international suppliers making it into the top ten this year."

With regard to the high response Airbus received from its customers, he continued: "The level of participation we have had from our customers demonstrates their continued involvement in supporting this rating system. Our customers appreciate the positive impact it has on the quality of service they receive and, ultimately, it helps them achieve the best performance for their aircraft. In terms of safe, reliable and economic operation meeting the passengers' expectations. Naturally, they wish to be part of such a beneficial process."

Airbus is an EADS joint company with BAE SYSTEMS.

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