Airbus Opens CSC at Grand Central Airport to Coincide with 30 Years of Airbus Helicopters in Southern Africa

Airbus has officially unveiled a brand-new Customer Support Centre for commercial aircraft in Johannesburg, marking a thrilling milestone in nearly five decades of partnership with Africa’s aviation industry.

The facility will strengthen Airbus's connection with airline customers throughout the continent, improving customer proximity and delivering a comprehensive suite of services to assist operators in maintaining safe, efficient, and reliable fleets. The centre will offer technical assistance, engineering and maintenance solutions, fleet performance analysis, training services, and on-site customer support for all Airbus commercial aircraft families, including the A220, A320, A330, and A350.

“The new centre expands Airbus’ presence in Africa and underscores our confidence in the region’s potential, as we invest in local capabilities, empower our customers, drive connectivity and shared progress across the continent,” said Gabriel Semelas, President of Airbus in the Middle East and Africa.

Airbus has been active in Africa since 1976 with the delivery of the first A300 to the continent. Fast forward to today, and you'll find nearly 40 airlines proudly operating over 260 Airbus aircraft. According to Airbus's Global Services Forecast, the next 20 years are set to be a thrilling journey for the African continent, with a soaring demand for 14,000 new pilots and 21,000 mechanics and engineers to keep up with the skyrocketing air travel needs.

The grand opening coincides with Airbus Helicopters' 30th anniversary of service and pioneering innovation in Southern Africa. The vibrant Midrand hub is bustling with activity, providing maintenance, spare parts, and logistics support and is home to Africa’s first H125 virtual reality simulator for pilot training.

The Airbus H125 VR simulator is a big step forward in pilot training tech, giving both new and seasoned helicopter pilots a super immersive and interactive experience. An active H125 pilot showed it off at the opening ceremony, and it’s seriously impressive. This cutting-edge simulator is built to mimic flying the Airbus H125, which is famous for its flexibility and top-notch performance in all sorts of situations like emergency medical services, law enforcement, and tourism.

Airbus Defence and Space remains committed to supporting African governments by providing military aircraft, Earth observation services, and satellite connectivity solutions. With over 180 African suppliers incorporated into its global supply chain, Airbus plays a pivotal role in advancing the continent's aerospace capabilities. Through component manufacturing, maintenance services, training partnerships, and technology transfer, Airbus' industrial presence contributes to job creation, skills development, and local economic growth throughout Africa.