World largest commercial aircraft showcases triumph for Midlands Aerospace industry

More than 20 Midlands-based firms operate within the supply chain of the Emirates Airbus A380- which features GP7200 engines - and contribute parts, including: High lift actuation systems for wings, titanium parts of the fuselage and engine bearings and oil coolers.

Six midlands firms who contributed parts to the Airbus A380 were in attendance as the aircraft landed, including: Birmingham's Timet UK and Bromford Industries (also of Leicester), Wolverhampton-based Goodrich Actuation Systems, GE Aviation and HS Marston Aerospace, and Eaton Aerospace of Redditch.

Bridget Day, innovation and technology manager at the Midlands Aerospace Alliance, an organisation which aims to create wealth and opportunities for aerospace organisations working within the region, said:

"There are around 250 Midlands companies at the core of the aerospace industry (700 in total), and the roots of this established and highly experienced supply chain extend deep into our advanced engineering capability - which helps fuel the region's economy."

Day added, "Today's arrival of the A380 at Birmingham International Airport is testament to the world-class technical capabilities of the of the 21 Midlands Aerospace Alliance members that helped to make it possible."

Accommodating up to 525 passengers, the double-decker, four-engine Airbus A380 made its first commercial flight in October 2007 and was introduced to the Emirates fleet just over a year ago. Now operating five aircraft in service with a further 53 on order with Airbus, passengers in First Class of an Emirates A380s can relax in one of 14 flat-bed, massage-equipped Private Suites as well as the two Onboard Shower Spas, which include heated flooring, and Timeless Spa shower kits.

This was the first commercial flight for an A380 outside of London Heathrow in the UK and following its participation in Birmingham International Airport's 70th anniversary, which also saw the opening of the new Pier, the aircraft returned to Dubai.

The 700 Midlands firms that operate in the aerospace cluster are founded on a core technological competency defined as systems that power and control aircraft. These firms currently employ more than 45,000 people and the regional cluster accounts for almost 25% of the UK aerospace industry by jobs and value.