Airbus has been on a tear of growth in India, having been the OEM of choice for India’s largest domestic airline, IndiGo, and the second-largest airline group, Air India. Besides that, Airbus also has exposure to India’s defence sector, being a significant supplier to the Indian Defence Forces, and has a large sourcing operation out of India.

For instance, all the doors you see fitted out on A320 family aircraft, among many other components, are manufactured in India. Owing to Airbus’s ever-increasing exposure in India and the growing market in India, the OEM has been working on new office space for years, and now, it has perhaps one of the most geekish spots there could be:  the airport.

Airbus checks into the new India and South Asia Headquarters.

Airbus inaugurated its new India and South Asia Headquarters at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport. The state-of-the-art facility was inaugurated by Shri Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, the Minister of Civil Aviation, Government of India, in the presence of Michael Schoellhorn, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space, and Rémi Maillard, President and Managing Director of Airbus in India and South Asia.

The new headquarters symbolises Airbus’ ambition in India and its commitment to developing its aerospace and defence businesses here. The facility will serve as the epicentre for Airbus’ operations in India, housing all three business units—Commercial Aircraft, Helicopters, and Defence and Space—bringing Airbus closer to its customers in India and South Asia.

The headquarters will be the heart of Airbus’ industrial mission in India: to develop a comprehensive aerospace ecosystem across all dimensions: assembly, manufacturing, design, innovation, and training. It will also serve as a pilot and maintenance training centre accommodating four A320neo Full-Flight Simulators (FFS). Being next to a major international airport just means that Airbus can have pilots fly in (domestic or international airlines) and head straight to the SIM if needed rather than navigate the traffic. Airbus is also invested in bringing simulators to the Air India Training Academy which will house SIMs for the A320 and the A350 aircraft.

Rémi Maillard, President & MD, Airbus India and South Asia, said on the occasion,

The inauguration of the new headquarters of Airbus in India and South Asia is another milestone in Airbus’ ambitious vision for India. It represents our unwavering commitment to developing the full spectrum of the country’s aerospace ecosystem. Airbus has seen a three-fold growth in its full-time employee count in India in the last three years and we will continue to grow. We are on course to open a 5,000-seater Airbus Campus in Bengaluru next year.

I am also told one can spot this building while arriving at Delhi Airport and that the terrace now bears the Airbus Insignia, although I have to admit I haven’t “spotted” it myself from 1000 feet, yet. Or 500 feet as well.

Airbus in India

India has become an attractive investment location to strengthen the global aviation supply chain. Airbus procures over 1 billion euros yearly from a robust and comprehensive supply chain in India for components and services, generating more than 15,000 jobs. Airbus India’s engineering and digital centres in Bengaluru also contribute to all Airbus commercial and helicopter programmes globally. Airbus is also building two final assembly lines in India for the C295 military transporter and the H125 helicopters. The C295 FAL, for that matter, will be commissioned in India in a few days by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez Pérez-Castejón.

Bottomline

Airbus India has a new headquarters, which indicates that the OEM is deepening its roots in India. It already is a large supplier to Indian airlines (Air India, IndiGo, and Vistara), and the focus on helicopters and defence sales is next. Not just that, Airbus has a large campus in Bengaluru which gives inputs to many aircraft projects, and, Airbus is now also sourcing more and more from India.

Have you seen the new Airbus India HQ while passing by at Delhi Terminal 3?

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