The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued FACC a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for its Passenger Luggage Space Upgrade. The innovative solution providing a significant increase in baggage volume was developed by the EASA Part 21 J Design Organisation of FACC and will be made available to airlines as a retrofit for the A320 aircraft family. This FAA supplemental type certification will enable the Austrian aerospace group to further increase its aftermarket service activities in the American market. With the upgrade, US airlines are now able to offer their passengers more stowage space for hand luggage.

"Our cabin innovation is now also available on the US market. The FAA's STC certification clearly opens up new opportunities for operators of A318, A319, A320 and A321 aircraft," commented Robert Machtlinger, CEO of FACC. "In order to save both money and time, more and more passengers are opting to travel with hand luggage only. As a technology partner to the aerospace industry, FACC is responding to this trend by now also offering American airlines in addition to European airlines a retrofit package that offers more luggage stowage space and thus added comfort for passengers."

The STC issued by the FAA on 13 November 2019 is based on the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) STC approval issued earlier this year, which entitled FACC for the first time to carry out significant modifications to aircraft using a component developed by its design organisation. By equipping overhead stowage compartments with new, larger doors, FACC is able to increase the stowage space for hand luggage by more than two-thirds in the classic cabins of the A320 aircraft family. As a launch customer, Austrian Airlines had already completed the FACC cabin upgrade on three Airbus A320 aircraft by February 2019.

Benefits for airlines and passengers

The new Passenger Luggage Space Upgrade is one of FACC's latest innovations in the field of aircraft interiors. This Interiors product not only enhances the ambience of the cabin, but also improves its functionality by increasing stowage space by 67% whilst simultaneously reducing weight. The modified overhead stowage compartments can now fit up to five hand luggage cases instead of just three. The newly designed cabin doors also offer airlines a wide range of customization and branding options. "Passengers appreciate simpler and more convenient handling along with shorter boarding times, while aircraft operators see a big advantage in the smoother boarding process and a reduced workload for the cabin crew in addition to the more modern appearance. Additional benefits include shorter boarding times, fewer delays and, as a result, cost savings during flight operations," Vice President FACC Aftermarket Services Christian Mundigler emphasized.

Aircraft retrofits can either be performed by the airlines themselves or by external maintenance companies, with FACC accompanying the initial installation process within the framework of a training program. Depending on the type of aircraft, the installation only takes between seven and nine hours, so it can literally be carried out "overnight".

Repair, Refurbish, Replace – FACC Aftermarket Services

In addition to its core business - the development and manufacture of lightweight components for the global aircraft industry - the globally active aerospace group FACC has also successfully established itself as a qualified Aftermarket Services partner thanks to its expertise as an OEM and its specialist know-how in the field of aircraft components. In addition to its headquarters in Ried im Innkreis (Austria), FACC also operates specialized Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) facilities in the USA and Montreal (Canada). The company offers the new retrofit package "Passenger Luggage Space Upgrade" along with many other customized modifications, repair solutions and overhauls with the expertise of an original equipment manufacturer. FACC markets and distributes its MRO products in the US market in cooperation with two leading distributors, Proponent in California (USA) and Alaris Aerospace Systems in Florida (USA). "The approval for the modification of the A320 cabin is part of a comprehensive strategy to continuously expand our services and our customer portfolio in the USA," explained Christian Mundigler. “The fleets of US airlines currently comprise up to 1000 A320 aircraft with classic cabins on board. We consider this a great opportunity for our cabin upgrade. Our top priority is, as always, to optimally fulfill the requirements of our customers.”