On December 21,2004, the Acting President of IRKUT Valery Bezverkhny and the Chief Operating Officer of Airbus Gustav Humbert signed at Gottorf Castle, Germany, a contract for manufacturing of the nose landing gear bay, keel beam, flap track and a floor grid section for the market leading A320 family aircraft at facilities of the Irkutsk Aviation Plant.

The contract is worth up to 200 Million $ over ten years and follows an extensive evaluation within the Russian Industry started in March 2004. According to contract terms, first deliveries of the components are scheduled for 2006

Currently, in accordance with Airbus procedures, a specially established working team is carrying out preparation of Irkutsk Aviation Plant production facilities for certification. The work includes harmonization of standards, upgrade of production facilities (galvanizing line, thermal processing, painting line and mechanical processing), purchase and installation of equipment, development and manufacture of rigging, testing of samples, development of logistics, inspections. Upon finalization of the production facilities preparation, Irkutsk Aviation Plant will receive a corresponding certificate for practically all processes needed for manufacture of the most complicated assemblies and components of the aircraft.

According to the Acting President of IRKUT Valery Bezverkhny, “the contract with Airbus is of a strategic importance for our company. Production of components is a new but a very prospective field for us. I’m sure that we will be able to fulfill our contract commitments in time and with appropriate quality. It is guaranteed by high qualification of Irkutsk Plant personnel having huge experience in high-tech products manufacturing as well as by technological level of plant’s production facilities complying with international standards“.