Airbus and the Boeing Company join together to lead aviation industry bar code initiative

Airbus and the Boeing Company join together to lead aviation industry bar code initiative

Keywords: Airbus, Boeing

Airbus and the Boeing Company shared their progress and vision for permanent bar code identification on parts with airlines, aviation suppliers, third-party maintenance providers and military logistics interests during the Global Aviation Bar Code Forum held during Frontline Solutions Europe 2001 (16-18 October 2001, RAI, Amsterdam).

Airline customers of both Airbus and Boeing have asked for bar coding on airplane parts that are included in an airplane's readiness log – a listing of serialized components that are on the airplane at the time of delivery. Airbus and Boeing have agreed to require the Air Transport Association's (ATA)SPEC 2000 Permanent Bar Code Identification as a standard commercial practice.

According to Kenneth Porad, program manager of the Permanent Bar Code on Parts Identification Program at Boeing Commercial Airplanes, such bar coding provides manufacturers and their supply chains with access to product history that could be used for troubleshooting and early identification of problems.

He said: "Permanent bar code on parts identification is the beginning of true traceability in the industry. The traceability improvements with bar code technology will translate into improved reliability, accountability and continued airline safety, which is Boeing's number one concern".