Airbus: "We Will Become Korea's Top Partner in the Aerospace Industry"

Meeting with Loic Fauchon, Head of Airbus Korea Branch
Strengthening Partnerships from Civil Aircraft to Defense and Space Industries
Aiming to Integrate Regional Supply Chain as a Research and Development Center

European aerospace company Airbus held a press conference on the 16th ahead of the Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition 2023 (Seoul ADEX 2023). Lo?c Fouch?-Hong, Senior Representative of Airbus Korea, announced plans to strengthen cooperation with Korean companies, including the establishment of a research and development (R&D) center in Korea.

At the conference, Fouch?-Hong stated, “Airbus maintains strong relationships with Korea across all business sectors,” adding, “We want to build a regional supply chain and expand more partnerships in the aerospace field.”

Lo?c Fauchon, Senior Representative of Airbus Korea, is explaining Airbus's business in Korea at a press briefing on the 16th.
[Photo by Airbus]

Airbus has achieved significant milestones in Korea, operating over 150 commercial aircraft, around 60 civilian and military helicopters, and approximately 30 military transport aircraft. Key partners such as Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and Korean Air Aerospace Division serve as primary suppliers, providing major components like aircraft wings and fuselage structures. He said, “When you see A330, A350, and A380 planes flying, you can consider that all the core parts produced in Korea are included.”

The company expressed its intention to seek new partnerships with the Korean government and companies, including establishing a domestic R&D center and developing next-generation helicopters. Airbus and KAI began the Korean Utility Helicopter (KUH) program in 2006. For the Light Armed Helicopter (LAH), mass production started in August this year, with a contract to supply 10 units to the Republic of Korea Army from the end of next year. They also collaborated with the Korea Aerospace Research Institute to design and produce Korea’s first multipurpose geostationary orbit satellite (GEO-Kompsat).

Lo?c Fauchon, Senior Representative of Airbus Korea, is explaining Airbus's business in Korea at a press briefing on the 16th.
[Photo by Airbus]

Airbus explained that it is currently working to establish an R&D center to enhance aerospace technology and ensure a smooth supply of skilled personnel. Fouch?-Hong said, “We are in discussions with leading Korean aerospace companies to establish this center, called the International Technology Center (ITC), in Korea,” adding, “Once the ITC is established, it will greatly aid the development of related industries within Korea.”

Meanwhile, regarding the merger of Korean Air and Asiana Airlines, Fouch?-Hong said, “We are closely monitoring the situation,” and “We are preparing countermeasures for the impacts that may arise once the merger is completed.” On the delivery of about 60 additional civilian aircraft, he commented, “It is not sufficient,” and pledged to respond to the increasing demand for aircraft.

He stated, “By 2042, there is expected to be demand for an additional 19,000 aircraft in the Asia-Pacific region,” and added, “Due to economic growth, an expanding middle class, and the growth of the tourism industry in the region, the growth rate of air travel demand in the Asia-Pacific is expected to be higher than the global average, so more deliveries beyond the 60 aircraft will be necessary.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.