New Airbus Factory Inaugurated in Gyula

This Thursday, Airbus officially inaugurated its new factory in the southeastern Hungarian town of Gyula, which has been certified by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

Airbus is one of Europe's leading defense companies, and the Hungarian state is a 30% shareholder in Airbus Helicopters Hungary Ltd., which was founded two years ago, the Hungarian state news agency MTI notes.

The CEO of Airbus Helicopters Hungary Ltd., Andreas Stöckle, recalled that the agreement was signed four years ago, the joint venture was founded two years ago and received EASA approval last Friday. Although not everything is ready yet, production can start, which is "the most important day in the life of a factory," he said.

Laurent Mazoué, Airbus Helicopters' executive vice-president for operations, said that the Gyula factory currently employs 50 people, with the number set to grow further by the end of this year and that the aim is to reach 250 employees within a few years.

Construction of the Airbus factory in Gyula started in December 2020 to put Hungary as the 9^th country on the map of Airbus operations. According to earlier announcements, the center was built with a budget of around HUF 2.2 billion, half of which was spent on the purchase of machinery and equipment.

The 13,000-square-meter plant will produce precision steel and titanium components for the kite structure and dynamic systems of the European aircraft manufacturer's helicopters, as well as some of the door panels. Gyula will be the sole supply point for these parts for the entire Airbus family.

A 3,100-square-meter surface treatment plant will also be built next to the parts factory.