Routes Europe kicks off with exclusive Airbus and ATR tours

Over 700 delegates are expected at Routes Europe in Toulouse over the next two days with many starting the event with an exclusive tour of the Airbus and ART final assembly lines yesterday (May 9).

Despite the volcanic ash cloud causing some flight delays in Europe, the majority of delegates have made it to Toulouse to partake in a busy 48 hours of one-to-one meetings, networking events and workshops. Meetings got underway at 8:30 this morning in the Toulouse Convention Centre.

Yesterday groups got to experience the ATR and Airbus A380 facilities during exclusive tours, followed by lunch in the Airbus delivery centre. The ATR experience included witnessing the final assembly line and experiencing the ATR product onboard brand new Vietnam Airlines and Fly540 aircraft. Just over 37% of ATR’s customer base is based in Europe, with customers including the likes of Cimber and Aer Lingus. Fifty ATR aircraft are assembled each year and delegates on the tour got an exclusive peek at the new ART 600 prototype, defined by its glass cockpit.

Then it was onto the Airbus A380 final assembly line where a number of aircraft for Singapore Airlines, Qantas and Lufthansa were undergoing final production stages and testing. With over four million parts going into each A380 aircraft, it takes four highly specialised teams to assemble the aircraft in the giant assembly factory in Toulouse. From there the aircraft travels to Hamburg for interior fit-out and painting. So far Airbus has delivered a total of 27 A380s to Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Qantas and Air France.

Rounding off the day was a Welcome Reception hosted by Toulouse mayor, Pierre Cohen at the Salle des Illustres in the Capitole and a City in Lights tour of Toulouse.

Lucy Siebert

Toulouse, France