The European aircraft manufacturer Airbus announced Monday the " temporary " suspension of production and assembly activities at its German sites in Bremen and Stade, as well as on that of Mobile in the United States, due to the coronavirus.
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These decisions " were made in response to several factors related to the current Covid-19 pandemic ," Airbus said in a statement. It highlights a “ high ” inventory level on the sites, as well as “ the different recommendations of governments ” which have an impact on the progress of the production activity.
In Bremen, Germany, " production and assembly activities will be on hiatus from April 6 to April 27 inclusive, with key support services continuing ." The German Stade site will also experience a “ pause ” in production and assembly from 5 to 11 April inclusive, with other days of planned shutdown “ in the weeks that follow ” in part of the production departments, while that support services will be maintained.
At Mobile in Alabama, which takes part in the assembly of the A220 and the A320, “ the production break will begin this week and is scheduled to last until April 29. Certain activities will continue on site, ”such as the construction or maintenance of the aircraft. The activities that will be maintained on these three sites " will be in application of the required hygiene measures and social distancing ", it is specified
Airbus recalls that it suspended its production and assembly activities in France and Spain for four days in March in order to put in place the " necessary " health and safety measures in the face of the coronavirus. Production and assembly in France have resumed " gradually " since March 23, while other activities in the United Kingdom, Spain and Canada " have been temporarily suspended, reflecting inventory levels and the latest government restrictions Added the press release.
