Airbus has long been one of the world’s two leading aircraft manufacturers. It currently supplies the most state-of-the-art, wide-ranging passenger aircraft available on the market, with capacity from 100 to well over 500 seats. But Airbus also champions innovative technologies - for example, its aircraft are the world's quietest and most fuel-efficient. Nonetheless, the company is not resting on its laurels and is committed to developing its role as a technology pioneer and further increasing production efficiency. It is keen to learn from nature and, as a global innovator, is initiating an internal bionics network and various bionic projects. At HANNOVER MESSE 2016, Airbus and co-exhibitor BIOKON are joining forces to show how bionics could shape future aircraft construction.

If research ultimately provides the hoped-for confirmation, future aircraft will use a bionic structure that copies a bird's bone structure. A bird's bones are both lightweight and stable, as their porous interior transfers forces only where they are needed - the rest is empty space. Transferring bionic structures to an aircraft fuselage doesn't just give it the stability needed for flying and reduce fuel consumption (thanks to weight savings), it also creates additional space that in the future could enable innovations such as larger doors for easier boarding and panoramic windows.

Airbus Operations GmbH (21129 Hamburg, Germany), Hall 2, Stand A01, co-exhibitor with BIOKON

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