FACC AG of Austria (www.facc.com) has concluded a deal with Airbus for the delivery of overhead stowage compartments and ceiling panels for the A320.

The contract is worth more than 500 million euros, and series production scheduled to start in 2018.

According to the contract, FACC will develop (in close co-operation with Airbus) ‘Airspace XL Bins’ — the biggest overhead stowage compartments in the short- and medium-haul aircraft category.

These will have space for eight (instead of five) items of baggage, which can be up to 61 x 40.6 x 25.4cm in size — significantly larger than before.

FACC will also deliver ceiling panels; apart from their function as panelling, these will also provide uniform illumination in the cabin. The detail development of individual components is currently in progress.

From the beginning of 2019 onwards, Airbus will offer its customers the new Airspace XL Bins for A320 aircraft as an alternative interior to current versions, which are also manufactured by FACC.