The AW609 aircraft, a unique combination of a helicopter and an airplane, is set to be installed at Leonardo’s Grottaglie plant in Taranto. However, the company has also announced a four-month stoppage at the plant due to economic implications of lower production levels. During a meeting with unions at the Unindustria headquarters in Rome, Leonardo expressed its commitment to revitalizing the Grottaglie hub by diversifying its industrial activities beyond fuselage production for Boeing 787.
The plan includes bringing the second assembly line of the AW609, an Italian-origin aircraft, to Grottaglie while keeping the first line in the United States. Negotiations between the company and unions are ongoing to manage these changes, which include utilizing ordinary redundancy funds and adjusting production methods to align with Boeing’s demand.
While the choice of AW609 has been confirmed, discussions continue on organizational methods to address lower production levels. These could include temporary closure of the production line or slowing down production until a unified agreement is reached with unions in a meeting scheduled for July 15th. Leonardo aims to find a sustainable solution that will overcome challenges posed by changes in Boeing’s program while maintaining operations and viability at the Grottaglie plant.
