ONE of East Lancashire’s biggest employers has consolidated its role as a major aerospace supplier after the successful maiden flight of a new jetliner.

Safran Nacelles, of Bancroft Road, Burnley, a world leader in aircraft engine nacelles with nearly 800 staff, has made a significant contribution to the latest member of the Airbus A330 widebody twin-engine family.

The Airbus A330neo, for which Safran Nacelles is fully responsible for the nacelles, made its first flight in Toulouse.

An aircraft’s nacelles are streamlined casings on the outside, which generally house engines.

A spokesman for the company said: “Safran Nacelles has full responsibility for the A330neo’s nacelles, from design to integration on the Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, thus bolstering the group’s position in the widebody commercial jet market.”

The company provides the engine nacelles and power transmission, landing gear, wheels and carbon brakes, wiring and other electrical systems and the data loading system.

The Nacelle in question is 12ft in diameter and one of the largest in the world, along with the model used on the Airbus A380.

It features the latest technologies from Safran Nacelles in terms of aerodynamics, acoustics and component integration, to help enhance the performance of the aircraft’s propulsion system.

The spokesman added: “The majority of the nacelle’s parts, such as the thrust reverser, the inner fixed structure and a lot of detailed component parts are manufactured or integrated in Burnley.

“To step up the rate of the production lines to meet the requirements of Airbus, Safran Nacelles has developed and implemented a new innovative production line, which includes an automated transport system for the thrust reverser.”

Safran chief executive Philippe Petitcolin said: “This first flight symbolises the success of the many group companies who contributed to this programme.

“It also underscores our ability to innovate, by adapting to the expectations of long-standing partners, such as the aircraft manufacturer Airbus.”

The first flight is also a milestone for Aero Gearbox International, a joint company between Safran Transmission Systems and Rolls-Royce, which developed the power transmission for the Trent 7000 engine, its first application.