Aircraft News - Europe.

For more aircraft news, data, fleets and analysis, please go to: http://www.airguideonline.com/professional.htm Jun 26, 2006

Airbus

Airbus A380 will not appear at Farnborough, something Toulouse failed to deny. "No comment," they say. On June 13 Airbus officially announced a review of the A380 program noting that the delivery schedule would undergo a shift of six to seven months due to production ramp-up issues. To date five of the 15 aircraft assembled have actually flown, all Rolls-Royce powered. Airbus only plans to deliver nine aircraft next year. By taking a 'plane to Farnborough for the complete show Airbus will lose up to a fortnight's development time, critical at present. The French holidays loom which will further affect certification. If the A380 does not make the show an over fly or touch and go might happen. Or just an appearance on the Monday (17 July) press day which will disappoint millions. As far as Farnborough's organizers are concerned it is all go for the A380. http://www.airbus.com http://www.farnborough.com Jun 24, 2006

Airbus

Airbus plans for US dealt blow. The troubled Airbus A380 programme was dealt a potential blow on Friday when an influential US congressmen said federal funds should not be used to upgrade US airports to accommodate the world's largest passenger aircraft. John Mica, chairman of the House aviation subcommittee, claimed it could cost as much as much as $1bn to refit up to 18 airports to handle the 550-seat A380, which is due to enter service next year despite ongoing production delays. Jun 23, 2006

Airbus

Airbus and parent EADS have been trying to temper a growing crisis since announcing the latest A380 delay last week. The French General Assembly's regular session yesterday erupted into in an angry shouting match and was suspended abruptly when Airbus's troubles were debated. The French government has a 15% stake in EADS, whose executives, particularly co-CEO Noel Forgeard, have come under intense pressure to explain the delays and the timing of their public disclosure. Jun 21, 2006

Airbus

Airbus reassures airlines on A380; Forgeard stock sale questioned. Airbus and parent EADS responded to increasing criticism over A380 program delays announced last week, with the focus intensifying on EADS Co-CEO Noel Forgeard's sale of [euro]2.5 million ($3.2 million) in stock options three months prior to EADS' stock sinking 26% on June 14 on news of the next-generation aircraft program's setback.Forgeard, who served as Airbus CEO until last year, told Europe 1 radio that he first learned of potential new problems with the A380 program in April and claimed the stock sale was "an unfortunate coincidence." Jun 19, 2006

Airbus, Finnair

Finnair took delivery of a former Virgin Atlantic A340-300 last week that will be used on the Helsinki-Shanghai route. The second and third A340s will arrive over the next two years. It ordered nine A350s and three A340s in December. The current MD-11 fleet will be phased out by 2012. Jun 21, 2006

Airbus, ILFC 

Airbus announced further delays in the A380 program last week, saying backups in aircraft wiring installations would push deliveries back 6-7 months. That marked the second delay in the program, and Udvar-Hazy said ILFC's 10 aircraft now will be delayed by 12-14 months. He claimed the order contract allows the leasing company to cancel without penalty if A380s are delivered more than six months late. Jun 21, 2006

Alenia Aeronautica, Sukhoi Civil Aircraft

Alenia Aeronautica and Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Co., as expected, signed an agreement establishing a strategic partnership on the Russian Regional Jet program. Under the terms, the Finmeccanica subsidiary will acquire a 25% stake plus one share in SCAC subject to Russian government approval, plus a corresponding financial stake in the RRJ program. The contract follows the signing of an MOU by the Russian federal agency for industry, Sukhoi Aviation Holding Co., Finmeccanica and Alenia Aeronautica at the MAKS 2005 air show in Moscow. The partners will set up a joint venture based in Europe to deal with sales and technical support. In addition, Alenia will contribute through its own Russia-based technical team that will produce components and systems, handle aircraft certification and manage purchasing, sales and technical support for airlines, among other things. Jun 22, 2006

ATR, Finnair

Finnair placed a second ATR 72 with Bravo Aviation in a transaction arranged by Skyways Aviation. Jun 21, 2006

Bombardier. Luxair

Luxair ordered three 70-seat Q400s from Bombardier, worth $75.5 million at list prices. It also took three options. The company said last month that streamlining its fleet with the introduction of 70/90-seat aircraft was part of its effort to return its airline unit to profitability. It will take delivery of the Q400s next year and use them mainly on routes to London, Paris, Frankfurt and Munich. Luxair said its tour company eventually will operate 3-4 737s while the scheduled service airline will use nine regional aircraft. Bombardier has received 177 firm orders for the 70-seater. Jun 21, 2006

Lufthansa Technik

Lufthansa Technik joined the Airbus MRO Network, which was launched in March 2005 and now includes 14 members. "The new arrangements will simplify and accelerate the exchange of technical data. Combined with our strong engineering resources, there will be a further increase in the efficiency of MRO services for Airbus airplanes," LHT Executive Board Chairman August Henningsen said. Jun 20, 2006

TAT Group, Sabena Technics

TAT Group will adopt Sabena Technics as the single brand for its civil and military aviation maintenance activities. TAT Group acquired Sabena Technics, a subsidiary of the former Belgian flag carrier, one year ago. The rebranding "underscores the group's strategic ambition to be one of Europe's leading independent operators of maintenance services," TAT Group said in a statement. Jun 21, 2006

Wizz Air

Wizz said Penauille Servisair will provide ground handling services supporting the carrier's expansion to Cork and Doncaster Sheffield. Jun 21, 2006