In Hamburg the Winners of the Crystal Cabin Award 2010 are Announced

HAMBURG, May 19, 2010 /PRNewswire/ --

- Airbus, Bishop, Dasell, Lumexis, Nordyn, the University of Applied Sciences and Arts in Hanover, and Teague are Delighted to Win the Hamburg Innovation Prize for Cabin Products

Leaders of the global aviation industry come to the German city of Hamburg to view and discuss latest developments in the interior design of aircraft. The Aircraft Interiors Expo takes place from the 18th to the 20th of May 2010. The leading trade fair for the interior design of airplanes highlights the importance of the northern German city as a major hub for the aviation industry.

The Crystal Cabin Award ceremony also takes place every year in the framework of the exposition, giving the only international prize for innovation in aircraft cabin design to companies that present their most innovative ideas to make air travel more comfortable and efficient for passengers and aviation companies.

For seven categories ranging from Passenger Comfort to Industrial Design, Greener Cabin to Entertainment, a total of 64 entries from 13 nations had been received, with 21 reaching the final round. "The final selection was yet again a very close and exciting race," said Christian Koerfgen, Vice President of Product Management and Innovation, German Lufthansa AG and chairman of the jury. "We saw compelling, visionary concepts. The jury discussed a lot and ultimately came to a fair decision."

For both Airbus as one of the winners at this year's award, and Hamburg as an aviation industry hub, this week in particular proves to be of major importance: this Wednesday, the first A380 is delivered to Lufthansa from the northern German city.

Hamburg significantly contributes to the development and construction of the Airbus A380, the largest passenger aircraft in the world. Parts of it are built at the Airbus plant in Hamburg-Finkenwerder, including interior furnishings comprising the completion of the passenger cabin with seats, stowage facilities, galleys as well as entertainment and communication electronics.

Airbus was awarded a trophy in the category Technical Equipment and Components for the Digital Cabin Logbook (DCL). This device can record and document errors in the Airbus cabin in a standardized way. This makes it possible to transmit errors, even during the flight. The team on the ground can then proceed with required repairs more quickly and help to avoid delays.

Another winner from Hamburg at this year's ceremony was Dasell Cabin Interior GmbH, who came in first in the category of Comfort and Well-being for their product named HILA, a highly flexible integrated lavatory. The company convinced the jury with a concept for a flexible aircraft bathroom that allows cabin crew to enlarge the bathroom within seconds. Once the plane has reached cruising altitude the space in the plane's passage that is otherwise only needed during boarding can be used for the lavatory.

An airplane seat developed specifically for wheelchair users won in the category University, which was new at this year's competition. Esther Glaesker, a graduate of Hanover University of Applied Sciences received the trophy for "Com.pax". This two-in-one system aims to make flying easier for passengers with reduced mobility. It allows them to be picked up at check-in a wheelchair that is fixated inside the cabin during the flight.

Hamburg has long proved itself as a leader in the aviation industry, making it a prime location for hosting the Aircraft Interiors Expo and the Crystal Cabin Award that was handed over to the seven companies presenting the most innovative products in aircraft interior design. The city has earned global recognition as a centre of special competence for aircraft cabins and cabin systems.

The Hamburg metropolitan region ranks alongside Seattle and Toulouse as one of the world's leading centers for civil aviation. Airbus Deutschland, Lufthansa Technik and Hamburg Airport employ the highest number of people in the industry in the region. More than 300 small and medium-sized enterprises employ some 36,000 people in the fields of aviation parts and engineering services.

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    Contact:

    Aviation Clusteer Metropolitan Region Hambur
    c/o HWF Hamburgische Gesellschaft fur Wirtschaftsforderung mbH

    Kirstin Ruther
    Tel: +49-(0)40-2270-1987
    [email protected]
    http://www.hamburg-aviation.com http://www.hamburg-economy.de

    Hamburg Marketing GmbH
    Media Relations
    Anette Boos
    Tel.: +49(0)40/41-11-10-620
    [email protected]
    http://www.mediaserver.hamburg.de

SOURCE Hamburg Marketing GmbH