AIM Altitude has a long history, dating back to the early 20th century, of providing innovative, design-led solutions. Beginning as independent companies, the different parts of the Group have grown together to share knowledge and expertise.
EXPLORE OUR CORPORATE HISTORY
AIM Altitude is one of the leading global suppliers of cabin interiors to the world’s leading airlines and OEM’s including Boeing, Airbus, the UK Ministry of Defence and manufacturers of regional aircraft.
AIM ALTITUDE: THE FIGURES
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TIMELINE
AIM Altitude’s history and major achievements
1900-2016
2019 - ULTRAFLEX
AIM Altitude’s visionary space for the ultra-long-haul market is revealed at AIX Hamburg and immediately goes viral.
2018 - AVIC CABIN SYSTEMS
AVIC Cabin Systems is launched, a new company headquartered in London and integrating AIM Altitude, FACC, Fesher, Jiatai and Thompson Aero Seating.
2018 - AIRBUS A320 SFE GALLEY SUPPLIER
AIM Altitude becomes a tier one supplier to Airbus for the development, manufacture, supply and support of galleys and stowages for the A320 family of aircraft.
2017 - RICHARD BOWER BECOMES CEO
Richard Bower, previously Group Commercial Director, takes over from Mark Edwards as CEO of AIM Altitude.
2016 - BOURNEMOUTH OPENING
New headquarters and state-of-the-art cabin interiors facility is opened at Bournemouth Airport.
2014 - ALTITUDE MERGER
AIM Aviation acquires Altitude Aerospace Interiors and becomes known as AIM Altitude
2009 - VIRGIN ATLANTIC
Project milestone: Virgin Atlantic Airbus A330-300 Upper Class
2008 - ALTITUDE AEROSPACE
Altitude Aerospace Interiors formed when the design engineering department was separated from Air New Zealand’s Technical Operations to create a standalone design engineering business.
2005 - DESIGN APPROVALS
AIM Aviation (Henshall) Ltd EASA Design Organisation Approval 2005
AIM Aviation (Jecco) EASA Design Organisation Approval 2005
2004 - Date - EMIRATES
Project milestone: Emirates First Class Seat Console Project
Project milestone: Emirates A380 Bar and Lounge Project
2004 - 2006 - VIRGIN ATLANTIC
Project milestone: Virgin Atlantic Projects Chanel, Alea, Savannah, Star (upper Class retrofit B747, A340-300, A340-600)
2003 - ORGANISATION APPROVALS
AIM Aviation (Henshall) Ltd EASA Production Organisation Approval 2003
AIM Aviation (Jecco) Ltd EASA Production Organisation Approval 2003
2001 - FLITEFORM MERGER
AIM Aviation (Fliteform) Ltd Heathrow merged with AIM Aviation (Jecco). At this time it was the oldest continuously maintained CAA Design Organisation approval in the world.
1999 - 2001 - VIRGIN ATLANTIC
Project milestone: Virgin Atlantic J2000 (Upper Class retrofit for B747 and A340-300)
1999 R&D MERGER
AIM Aviation (R&D) Ltd merged with AIM Aviation (Jecco)
1998 - HUNTING AVIATION
Hunting Aviation, Airline Interiors Division acquired by AIM Aviation (Jecco)
1997 - AIM COMPOSITES
AIM Aviation (HBA) Ltd became AIM Composites Ltd
1995 - FIRST VIRGIN ATLANTIC BAR
AIM Aviation (Hurn) Ltd absorbed into Jecco
Project milestone: First Virgin Atlantic B747 Bar (Designed by AIM Aviation Fliteform, made by AIM Aviation Henshall)
1994-1995 - SAAB INTERIORS
Project milestone: A total of 60 Saab 2000s each with complete AIM Altitude Interiors and exterior painting were delivered
1994 - 1999 - WORLDS FIRST BA MOOD LIGHTING
Project milestone: World’s first aircraft Mood Lighting (British Airways Project Slingshot)
1993 - SAAB
Project milestone: Third Saab 340 design, manufacture, painting, completion contract (200+ aircraft)
1992 - SAAB
Project milestone: Saab 2000 design, manufacture, painting, completion contract
1991 - HUNTING AVIATION
Hunting Aviation name changed to Hunting Aviation, Airline Interiors Division
1988 - R&D
Metair Aircraft Equipment acquired by Hunting Aviation
Transequip Ltd acquired by AIM Aviation (Henshall)
AIM Aviation (R&D) Ltd established
AIM Aviation (R&D) Ltd CAA Design Organisation Approval received
1987 - SAAB
Project milestone: Second Saab 340 design, manufacture, painting, completion contract (50 aircraft)
1986 - Date - WESTLANDS
Project milestone: Westland EH101 Interior
1984 - VIRGIN ATLANTIC
Project milestone: First Virgin Atlantic project (sofas, table) designed, made by AIM Aviation Fliteform
1984 - AIM COMPOSITES
AIM Composites founded in Waterbeach, Cambridge
1983 - 1999 - SAAB
Project milestone: A total of 457 Saab 340s each with complete AIM Altitude Interiors and exterior painting were delivered
1982 - CAA APPROVAL
AIM Aviation (Hurn) Ltd CAA Aircraft Inspection Approval
Project milestone: First Saab 340 design, manufacture, painting, completion contract (50 aircraft)
1981- 1995 - BRISTOW TIGER
Project milestone: Bristow Tiger complete interior, painting and completions
1980 - AIM AVIATION (HENSHALLS)
Metallic Components Ltd became Metair Aircraft Equipment
AIM Aviation (HBA) Ltd acquired by AIM Aviation (Henshalls) Ltd
1979-1991 - WESTLAND
Project milestone: Westland WG 30 Interiors
1979-1981 - BOEING CHINOOK
Project milestone: Boeing Commercial Chinook complete interior
1978 - Date - SIKORSKY
Project milestone: Sikorsky S76 Auxiliary Fuel Systems
1975 - CAA APPROVAL
AIM Aviation (Jecco) Ltd UK CAA Category A1 Design and Manufacturing Approval
1974-1986 - SIKORSKY
Project milestone: Sikorsky S61N complete interiors manufacture
1974 - CAA APPROVAL
AIM Aviation (HBA) Ltd CAA Aircraft Inspection Approval
1971 - Date - WESTLAND LYNX
Project milestone: Westland Lynx Interiors
1969 - Date - WESTLAND SEA KING
Project milestone: Westland Sea King Interior
1962 - Date - SIKORSKY
Project milestone: Sikorsky S61N Auxiliary Fuel Systems
1962 - CAA APPROVAL
Metallic Components Ltd UK CAA Category A1 Design and Manufacturing Approval
1958 - AID APPROVAL
Metallic Components Ltd UK AID approval
1955 - METALLIC COMPONENTS
Metallic Components Ltd formed
1950 - CAA APPROVAL
AIM Aviation (Fliteform) Ltd Heathrow UK CAA Category A1 Design and Manufacturing Approval
1946 - CAA APPROVAL
AIM Aviation (Henshall) Ltd – UK CAA Category A1 Design and Manufacturing Approval
1939 - AIM AVIATION FOUNDED
AIM Aviation (HBA) Ltd founded as Howard Graham Ltd
1926 - JECCO FOUNDED
Jecco founded in Bournemouth under the name John E Clarke and Company Ltd, a coach and car trimming business designing car hoods, coachworks and other products for the then UK Ministry of Defence.
Early 1900s - HENSHALLS FOUNDED
Henshalls founded in Byfleet making milk churns, amongst other products.