Airbus s Vietnam-based firm to make Sharklet plates for A320s

 Nikkiso Vietnam, a 100 percent Japanese-invested manufacturing company located at the Thang Long Industrial Park II in the Vietnamese capital city, will produce composite vertical bars and the armor plates of Sharklet wingtip devices for A320 aircraft.

The production will be done under a subcontracting deal with the Korean Air Aerospace Division, the main supplier of Sharklet devices for Airbus.

Sharklets help save fuel and are available on A320s, according to Jean-Francois Laval, Airbus Executive Vice President for Asia.

With 4,280 A320 planes waiting to be delivered to customers worldwide, the part manufacturing package will ensure steady work for Nikkiso Vietnam, Laval said at a press conference in Hanoi yesterday.

Vietnam was chosen as Airbus’s part-making destination thanks to its fast growing aviation market and the attractive manufacturing expenses, Laval told reporters, adding the aircraft maker also received positive support from the Vietnamese government.

Airbus is running a pilot training program in Hanoi, according to newswire Vietnam Economy.

The vice president also revealed that Vietnam Airlines will become the first airline in Asia to use the brand new Airbus A350 XWB aircraft starting mid-2015.

The Vietnamese flag carrier currently has ten A330-200s in its fleet.