ST Engineering’s Commercial Aerospace business has signed a letter of intent (LOI) with Vaayu Group to provide 20 units of the Access expandable cabin lavatory solution. Access will be installed on Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 aircraft. Vaayu will be the launch customer for the solution.
Designed to fulfil all the proposed requirements by the US Department of Transport to make aircraft lavatories more accessible, Access is a solution for narrowbody aircraft that can be expanded to bring about 40% more space. The idea is to help make the lavatory big enough to accommodate a passenger with reduced mobility and an assistant so that the former can use the facility with greater ease and safety.
Access has also been designed to minimise retrofitting costs for operators. The design can accommodate existing structural attachment points as well as electrical and system connections, while installation can be carried out without the need to alter the cabin layout or reduce galley space and seating capacity.
“We are truly privileged to be the launch customer for the Access lavatory and thankful to ST Engineering for this unique honour,” said Emad AlMonayea, chairman and president, Vaayu Group. “We believe Access will change the dynamics of the sector considering the projected growth in the number of passengers with reduced mobility due to change of demographics of air travel. As an entrepreneurial organisation, Vaayu must not only grow faster but also have to visualise the future of our businesses quicker than most. Vaayu Group has completed over a decade of successful operations, and we are geared to grow by leveraging both organic and inorganic strategies.”
Ms Ling Meng Geah, director programme office, cabin interiors and engineering solutions at ST Engineering, said, “We are thrilled to work with Vaayu as our launch customer for Access. Through this partnership, we are a step closer to fulfilling our commitment in pioneering and delivering cabin solutions that revolutionise the air travel experience. We look forward to partnering more like-minded operators to create more dignified and inclusive flying experiences for all.”
