Airbus' Grand Plans for RFID
Think the Airbus A380—the world's largest passenger airplane—is big? Consider the jet maker's company-wide RFID program, which extends from tracking goods in its global supply chain to manufacturing and in-service operations.
By Elizabeth Wasserman
Oct. 1, 2007—One of the most closely guarded secrets about the Airbus A380—the 525-passenger airplane dubbed "Superjumbo"—is how the jet airplane maker is going to customize the cabin for each airline. Air France, Emirates Airlines, Qantas, Singapore Airlines and others awaiting orders for the double-decker, four-engine giant have each asked Airbus to design the cabin differently, because they have their own ideas about which features—from the configuration of first-class seats to the size of overhead bins and entertainment options—will woo passengers.
Another closely guarded secret has been how Airbus plans to use radio frequency identification technology. While rival Boeing has announced that it wants suppliers to RFID-tag some 2,000 different parts for its upcoming 787 Dreamliner airplane, Airbus officials have been relatively quiet about their plans—that is, until the company invited RFID journal to visit the A380 final assembly plant in Hamburg, Germany, this summer and witness firsthand some of its RFID deployments and pilots.
"Why has Airbus taken so long to talk?" asks Carlo K. Nizam, head of value-chain visibility and RFID for Airbus. "There are a number of reasons. First, there is a lot of hype with RFID, and we needed to separate the facts from fiction. Second, we have a very unique position of influence between our suppliers and customers—when Airbus does something, it is felt across the entire industry. Third, given that RFID represents such a rare opportunity to enable real business savings for everyone, it was important to take the time to focus on our airline customers, suppliers and industrial partners and listen to their ideas."
Oct. 1, 2007—One of the most closely guarded secrets about the Airbus A380—the 525-passenger airplane dubbed "Superjumbo"—is how the jet airplane maker is going to customize the cabin for each airline. Air France, Emirates Airlines, Qantas, Singapore Airlines and others awaiting orders for the double-decker, four-engine giant have each asked Airbus to design the cabin differently, because they have their own ideas about which features—from the configuration of first-class seats to the size of overhead bins and entertainment options—will woo passengers.
Another closely guarded secret has been how Airbus plans to use radio frequency identification technology. While rival Boeing has announced that it wants suppliers to RFID-tag some 2,000 different parts for its upcoming 787 Dreamliner airplane, Airbus officials have been relatively quiet about their plans—that is, until the company invited RFID journal to visit the A380 final assembly plant in Hamburg, Germany, this summer and witness firsthand some of its RFID deployments and pilots.
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| Airbus is trying to encourage its suppliers and customers to consider the benefits of RFID by demonstrating how it is using the technology to see results in its own business. |
"Why has Airbus taken so long to talk?" asks Carlo K. Nizam, head of value-chain visibility and RFID for Airbus. "There are a number of reasons. First, there is a lot of hype with RFID, and we needed to separate the facts from fiction. Second, we have a very unique position of influence between our suppliers and customers—when Airbus does something, it is felt across the entire industry. Third, given that RFID represents such a rare opportunity to enable real business savings for everyone, it was important to take the time to focus on our airline customers, suppliers and industrial partners and listen to their ideas."
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