First A321XLR Inboard Flap Produced By Spirit Aerosystems

KUALA LUMPUR: Airbus and Spirit AeroSystems have held a ceremony to mark the production of the first inboard wing flap in Malaysia for the new A321XLR (Xtra Long Range) aircraft.

The ceremony was held at Spirit AeroSystems’ manufacturing facility in Malaysia’s Subang city, said an Airbus statement. It was attended by Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid, Executive Director, Manufacturing Development (Non-Resource), MIDA; Scott McLarty, Senior Vice President Airbus & Business Jet Programmes, Spirit AeroSystems; and Raymond Lim, Airbus Chief Country Representative – Malaysia.

Spirit AeroSystems in Malaysia is the sole supplier producing inboard flaps for the A321XLR, which is a new long-range version of the best-selling single aisle aircraft. The inboard flap is located along the trailing edge of the wings and helps secure greater lift during take-off and landing.

With 14 local partners and suppliers in Malaysia, the country represents Airbus’ biggest supplier base in Southeast Asia and is the fifth largest supplier of Airbus composite parts worldwide. Airbus, meanwhile, is the largest partner for the country’s aerospace industry. Important partners include Spirit AeroSystems, CTRM, SME Aerospace and Celestica.

Raymond Lim, Airbus Chief Country Representative – Malaysia said: “Our footprint in Malaysia reflects the importance we place on the country, not only as a strategic market, but also as a valued industrial partner, contributing to our extended global enterprise.

“We are fully committed to our ongoing presence in the country and today’s event marks another milestone in our journey together”.

Today, “Made in Malaysia” parts are flying on almost all Airbus civil aircraft products -A320 family, A330, A350, A380, as well as the A400M military transport and the H130 helicopter. –shp/adj/aaa (PHOTO: Airbus