Airbus to Participate in Seoul ADEX 2025
Lee Heehwan: "Pursuing Joint Growth with Korea in Aerospace"
Lee Heehwan, CEO of Airbus Korea, has expressed his determination to lead the Korean cargo aircraft market with the next-generation freighter, the A350F. Building on more than half a century of cooperation with Korea, Airbus plans to pursue joint growth with Korea in the future aerospace sector.
Lee Heehwan, CEO of Airbus Korea, is making a presentation at a meeting held on the 16th at the Plaza Hotel in Seoul. Airbus Korea
At a press conference held at the Plaza Hotel in Seoul on the 16th, Lee stated, "The A350F boasts outstanding fuel efficiency and operational efficiency, enabling nonstop flights from Seoul to New York with a full payload, which can meet a wide range of cargo transport demands. It will set a new standard for next-generation freighters."
The A350F, developed based on the A350 platform, has a maximum payload capacity of 111 tons and features a main deck cargo door (MDCD) that is 15% larger in area compared to competing freighters. The aircraft is currently preparing for test flights, with the goal of entering service in 2026. Lee described the A350F as a "versatile freighter" and emphasized its significant growth potential in the Korean cargo aircraft market.
Airbus will participate in the 'Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition (Seoul ADEX 2025)' to be held on October 17 at Seoul Airport in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, and at KINTEX. The company plans to showcase the A350F, multipurpose helicopters (H225M, ACH160, H140), and a variety of the latest products and technologies in the defense and space sectors.
Lee introduced, "Currently, Korean airlines operate 160 aircraft, and 16 organizations, including the 119 Rescue Headquarters, Korea Coast Guard, and Fire Aviation Corps, are operating about 60 helicopters. In the defense sector, 30 military transport aircraft are also being successfully operated."
Lee Heehwan, CEO of Airbus Korea, is making a presentation at a meeting held on the 16th at the Plaza Hotel in Seoul. Airbus Korea
He emphasized, "Korea is not just a market for Airbus but a partner with whom we have maintained a strategic partnership for over 50 years. Airbus contributes to the employment of around 6,000 people in Korea and generates economic value of 600 million dollars, or about 850 billion won, through the purchase of aerospace components." Airbus has continued its partnership with Korea since Korean Air introduced the A300B4 passenger aircraft in 1974.
As a result of this cooperation, major first-tier partners such as Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), Korean Air Aerospace Division (KAL-ASD), and LS supply key components-including wing structures, fuselage assemblies, and composite parts-for Airbus commercial aircraft programs (A320, A330, A350, and others).
In the helicopter sector, Airbus is collaborating with KAI on various joint development programs, including the Korean Utility Helicopter Surion (KUH Surion) and the Light Armed Helicopter (LAH), and is also working on the development of additional derivative models. In the space sector, Airbus is supporting the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) with the GEO-KOMPSAT series and the development project for the Arirang 6 satellite, which is scheduled for launch.
Regarding the establishment of a domestic 'Research & Development (R&D) Center,' Lee said, "Airbus is paying close attention to and planning for R&D in Korea at the company-wide level," and added, "The plans for the R&D Center are currently being fleshed out, and there will be an opportunity to officially communicate about this in the near future."
Lee also stated that Airbus will strengthen its sustainability partnership to help Korea achieve its carbon neutrality goals, including support for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and hydrogen-powered aircraft. He concluded, "Airbus will continue to build, collaborate, and grow together with Korea. We will further strengthen our role as an 'aerospace citizen' in Korea."
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