Airbus, Collins mark long partnership

FOLEY, Ala. - The day after Airbus marked its 50th anniversary, representatives from the company were in Foley today at the Collins Aerospace Systems site to celebrate their 45-year relationship. Collins Aerospace delivered the 1,000th nacelle for the A320neo program, delivering the 9,000th V2500 nacelle. Collins Aerospace, in addition to doing all the nacelles work for the A320, will also provide nacelles for the new A220 jetliner that will be built at the Airbus campus. That assembly line is going up next to the A320 line at the Mobile Aeroplex. The relationship between the two companies dates back to the A300, the first Airbus aircraft. There are currently more than 750 Collins nacelles operating on A320neo jetliners with 32 airlines. Collins Aerospace Systems, a unit of United Technologies Corp., was formed in 2018 by bringing together UTC Aerospace Systems an Rockwell Collins following UTC's purchase of Rockwell Collins. Speaking at today's event were Jim Pollock, vice president of Airbus Programs - Aerostructures, Collins Aerospace; Daryl Taylor, vice president & general manager - Airbus U.S. Manufacturing Facility; Pierre-Laurent Mace, vice president of Procurement - Airbus Americas; and Congressman Bradley Byrne (R-Ala.). (Source: GCAC, 05/30/19) Previous: UTC splits in three; Hawaiian gets U.S.-built A321neo; First A320neo engine delivered