Page 13 - Aircraft Interiors India -April-may 2024-fn

COVER STORY

MRO to firm-up slots and
work scope. For example, it
enables them to understand
when the first head-of-ver-
sion will start the working
party, the frequency and the
cadence – eg one per month,
or two per month etc.
Customer’s offer accep-
tance and project kick-off
Once the resulting final
Technical & Commercial offer
has been accepted by the
airline, the official project
kick-off meeting is convened
during which Airbus as-
signs a dedicated Upgrade
Programme Manager (UPM).
The UPM will be there with
the customer – from guid-
ance with LOPA finalisation,
providing access to Airbus’
expertise and resources in
Cabin Engineering and DMU,
taking them through the
complete cabin certification
process using the original
Type Certificate (TC), updat-
ing the customer aircraft’s
technical documentation,
and even up until the last
delivery of the kits and SBs
ment post-mod and LOPA to the customer, and as well
while some are open to the last working party.
Airbus suggestions. Airbus Customer Services
The preliminary phase has set up a dedicated proj-
helps to ensure that the RFP ect with a team of experts
already takes into account ready to provide airlines with
the feedback from potential more details as they plan to
providers, and will not there- upgrade their A350 fleets
fore require further re-draft- and thereby enhance their
ing, thus paving the way for assets’ operational value and
a smoother tender response passenger appeal.
phase from the prospective Airbus is also increasing
providers and final down- it provides the ‘Commercial touched and what should be its internal capacities within
selection. Once all the items Offer’ to the customer. This untouched, and which new retrofit Engineering and
have been approved by offer will confirm all the items will be BFE versus Programmes management.
internal management, the details such as firm pricing, SFE etc. It will also highlight Suppliers have already been
operator will issue its formal escalation rules, milestones which ATA Chapter exper- informed and Airbus is re-
RFP to the prospective ex- planning etc along with the tise and competences will be viewing the industrial capac-
ternal providers. deliverables which usually required during the upgrade ity and competitiveness of
include the SBs, kits, and – eg. Air Conditioning; Elec- the supply chain. In addition,
Upgrade providers’ when requested. trical Power; Equipment & Airbus is studying potential
response: Commercial & The Technical Offer, which Furnishings; Water & Waste, partnerships with third-
Technical Offer is a prerequisite for the and so on. party aftermarket providers
From Airbus’ perspective, Commercial Offer, advises The Commercial Offer is to develop complementary
once it receives and subse- on which items will be re- also needed by the customer offerings to meet customer
quently analyses that RFP, moved or installed, what is to engage with its chosen expectations

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