Belairbus
Encyclopedia
Belairbus is a Belgian
aerospace manufacturer. It is a consortium
established to allow a number of Belgian companies to participate in the manufacturing of Airbus
aircraft while fulfilling Airbus' stipulation that it only deal with one entity in each European country that wants to be a part of the Airbus manufacturing program. It is a so-called "associated partner" to Airbus, manufacturing parts of the Airbus A320 family
, the Airbus A340
series and the Airbus A380
series of aircraft.
(formerly Avions Fairey
), Fabrique Nationale
and Asco
. The consortium was established to participate in manufacturing the Airbus A310
, being responsible for A310 wing leading edge slats
, slat tracks and Krueger flaps
. Airbus called Belairbus an "associate", along with Fokker
, as both companies were involved with manufacturing Airbus aircraft without being shareholders in Airbus.
The consortium partners are now Sonaca, Asco Industries and Eurair, a subsidiary of Watteeuw Group. Belairbus subcontracts manufacturing to these three consortium members. Each consortium member's share in Belairbus is in proportion to the value of its production for the consortium; Sonaca's share is approximately 58%, Asco's 35%, and Eurair's 7%, with a single share also held by Belgian aerospace company SABCA
.
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
aerospace manufacturer. It is a consortium
Consortium
A consortium is an association of two or more individuals, companies, organizations or governments with the objective of participating in a common activity or pooling their resources for achieving a common goal....
established to allow a number of Belgian companies to participate in the manufacturing of Airbus
Airbus
Airbus SAS is an aircraft manufacturing subsidiary of EADS, a European aerospace company. Based in Blagnac, France, surburb of Toulouse, and with significant activity across Europe, the company produces around half of the world's jet airliners....
aircraft while fulfilling Airbus' stipulation that it only deal with one entity in each European country that wants to be a part of the Airbus manufacturing program. It is a so-called "associated partner" to Airbus, manufacturing parts of the Airbus A320 family
Airbus A320 family
The Airbus A320 family is a family of short- to medium-range, narrow-body, commercial passenger jet airliners manufactured by Airbus Industrie.Airbus was originally a consortium of European aerospace companies, and is now fully owned by EADS. Airbus's name has been Airbus SAS since 2001...
, the Airbus A340
Airbus A340
The Airbus A340 is a long-range four-engine wide-body commercial passenger jet airliner. Developed by Airbus Industrie,A consortium of European aerospace companies, Airbus is now fully owned by EADS and since 2001 has been known as Airbus SAS. a consortium of European aerospace companies, which is...
series and the Airbus A380
Airbus A380
The Airbus A380 is a double-deck, wide-body, four-engine jet airliner manufactured by the European corporation Airbus, a subsidiary of EADS. It is the largest passenger airliner in the world. Due to its size, many airports had to modify and improve facilities to accommodate it...
series of aircraft.
History
Belairbus was formed in 1979 as a consortium of the Belgian government; the development authority of Wallonia; and the companies SONACASONACA
SONACA is a Belgian company which in 1979 received its name after its parent company Fairey fell into financial heavy in 1977 and the Belgian government felt compelled to take over its Belgian subsidiary Avions Fairey at Gosselies. This was done partly to calm social unrest but also to keep the...
(formerly Avions Fairey
Avions Fairey
Avions Fairey was the Belgian-based subsidiary of the British Fairey Aviation that built Fairey aircraft designs for the Belgian government.-History:...
), Fabrique Nationale
Fabrique Nationale de Herstal
Fabrique Nationale d'Herstal — self identified as FN Herstal and often referred to as Fabrique Nationale or simply FN — is a firearms manufacturer located in Herstal, Belgium....
and Asco
Asco
Asco can refer to:* Ascó, a village in Catalonia, Spain** Ascó Nuclear Power Plant* Asco, Haute-Corse** the Asco meteorite of 1805, which fell in Corse, France * American Society of Clinical Oncology...
. The consortium was established to participate in manufacturing the Airbus A310
Airbus A310
The Airbus A310 is a medium- to long-range twin-engine widebody jet airliner. Launched in July 1978, it was the second aircraft created by Airbus Industrie,a consortium of European aerospace companies, Airbus is now fully owned by EADS and since 2001 has been known as Airbus SAS. the consortium of...
, being responsible for A310 wing leading edge slats
Leading edge slats
Slats are aerodynamic surfaces on the leading edge of the wings of fixed-wing aircraft which, when deployed, allow the wing to operate at a higher angle of attack. A higher coefficient of lift is produced as a result of angle of attack and speed, so by deploying slats an aircraft can fly at slower...
, slat tracks and Krueger flaps
Krueger flaps
Krueger flaps are lift enhancement devices that may be fitted to the leading edge of an aircraft wing. Unlike slats or drooped leading edges, the main wing upper surface and its nose is not changed...
. Airbus called Belairbus an "associate", along with Fokker
Fokker
Fokker was a Dutch aircraft manufacturer named after its founder, Anthony Fokker. The company operated under several different names, starting out in 1912 in Schwerin, Germany, moving to the Netherlands in 1919....
, as both companies were involved with manufacturing Airbus aircraft without being shareholders in Airbus.
The consortium partners are now Sonaca, Asco Industries and Eurair, a subsidiary of Watteeuw Group. Belairbus subcontracts manufacturing to these three consortium members. Each consortium member's share in Belairbus is in proportion to the value of its production for the consortium; Sonaca's share is approximately 58%, Asco's 35%, and Eurair's 7%, with a single share also held by Belgian aerospace company SABCA
Société Anonyme Belge de Constructions Aéronautiques
SABCA is a Belgian aerospace company, a subsidiary of the Dassault Group.Its main sectors of activity are civil aviation, space and defence.The company has three locations:...
.