Aircraft News - Europe.

Dec 4, 2006

Switzerland officially joined EASA yesterday, becoming the fourth non-EU country to adopt EU aviation safety legislation. Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein are the others. Dec 1, 2006

Air Berlin, Boeing

Air Berlin orders 60 737NGs, posts profit increase. Air Berlin said yesterday that it intends to buy 60 737-800s and revealed that dba, which it agreed to acquire in August, placed an order earlier this year for 15 737-700s. Nov 29, 2006

Airbus

Airbus EADS Says A400M On Time. The A400M military transporter being developed by Airbus for European NATO countries is on time but faces "critical" risks in some areas, the European planemaker's parent EADS said. Dec 3, 2006

Airbus

Airbus EADS Close To Agreement On Airbus A350 Launch. The board of European aerospace group EADS is 90 percent sure to agree on Friday to launch Airbus's planned A350 mid-size, long-haul jet, a source close to the board said on Friday. Dec 1, 2006

Airbus

Airbus EADS Gives Green Light For Airbus A350. Airbus parent EADS decided on Friday to go ahead with a new mid-sized airliner to compete with Boeing in their fight for market share and restore pride battered by delays to its A380 superjumbo. Dec 1, 2006

Airbus

Airbus Narrows Order Gap With Boeing. Airbus narrowed the gap in global aircraft orders with rival Boeing in November, but would likely remain behind this year for the first time in five years, Airbus figures showed on Friday. Dec 1, 2006

Airbus

Airbus A380 successfully completed crosswind tests at Keflavik this month, carrying out five takeoffs and six landings in crosswinds measuring 40-56 kt. Type certification requires a minimum 23 kt. Nov 30, 2006

Airbus

Airbus is not commenting publicly, noting that EADS has not made a decision on the program. An EADS board meeting on A350 financing was cancelled last week amid disputes among stakeholders, including the French government, over the project's funding. French media are reporting that another meeting will take place Friday. Nov 30, 2006

Airbus

Airbus reportedly intends to outsource 50% of A350 XWB production even as parent EADS' board debates whether to green-light the program and its funding. One way to keep costs down is to outsource much of the aircraft's production, Airbus CEO Louis Gallois told Reuters. "On the A350, our plan is to outsource 50% of the airframe production, which would allow us to hand over [a portion of labor and costs] to partners participating in the development," he said. "The target is [euro]1.8 billion ($2.37 billion) [in savings]. We have started talking to candidates." Nov 30, 2006

Airbus

Airbus's A350 XWB program remains up in the air following the cancellation of a meeting last week at which details of the revamped aircraft and its financing were supposed to be hammered out. All parties are staying silent publicly, but widespread media reports detail a rift between the French government, which holds a 15% stake in Airbus parent EADS, and EADS stakeholders Lagardere and DaimlerChrysler over the A350's financing and whether France should be allowed to raise its EADS stake. Airbus had said the A350 decision would come by the end of this month but the disputes among stakeholders have cast doubt on when or if the program will move forward. Nov 29, 2006

Bombardier, Brit Air, Air France

Brit Air, which operates regional services for Air France, ordered three CRJ700s worth $97 million at list prices that will replace three CRJ100s coming off lease. The AF subsidiary operates 19 50-passenger CRJ100s, 12 72-seat CRJ700s and 13 F100s. Nov 29, 2006

British Airways

British Airways said yesterday that one of the three 767s removed from service following the discovery of traces of a radioactive substance during the UK government's investigation of the death of former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko has been cleared to resume flying. BA said it hopes to have the second aircraft back by this weekend, while the third will fly from Moscow to London Heathrow today to undergo testing. The carrier said it is continuing to contact the approximately 33,000 passengers who flew aboard the three aircraft between Oct. 25 and Nov. 29 and that its dedicated phone line has received more than 7,500 calls. Dec 1, 2006

British Airways

British Airways said yesterday that three 767s used on short-haul routes have been removed from service indefinitely after the UK government informed the carrier Tuesday night that the aircraft were to be examined as part of the investigation into the highly publicized poisoning death of former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko. BA said initial forensic testing confirmed that low traces of a "radioactive substance" were discovered aboard two of the aircraft. "British Airways understands from advice it has been given that the risk to public health is low," the airline said, adding that it is attempting to contact passengers who traveled aboard the aircraft and has set up a phone line for those who were on affected flights. Nov 30, 2006

KLM UK Engineering

KLM UK Engineering opened an expanded maintenance hangar at Norwich International Airport. KLM invested [pounds sterling]1 million in the facility that now will be able to perform work on larger aircraft like 737NGs, and will add approximately 50 new jobs. Nov 30, 2006

Lufthansa Technik

Lufthansa is expanding its presence in Malta. First, Lufthansa Technik will set up new MRO capabilities for C and D checks on the A330 and A340 families. Under terms of an MOU signed by the Maltese government and LHT Malta, a joint venture with Air Malta, a hangar will be constructed by Malta Industrial Parks and leased to LHT. Pending approval of a new labor agreement with local trade unions, the facility is due to be up and running as early as 2008. Nov 28, 2006

Lufthansa Technik, Lufthansa Malta

Lufthansa Malta was founded in 2002 and currently has 150 employees. A Center of Excellence within the Lufthansa Technik Group, it focuses on C checks on short-range Boeing and Airbus aircraft. Nov 28, 2006

SR Technics 

SR Technics' purchase by a United Arab Emirates consortium led by Mubadala Development, investment vehicle of the Abu Dhabi government, was finalized this week. The acquisition of the Zurich-based MRO provider, valued at $1.3 billion, was announced in September and cleared by the European Commission last week. The company will continue to be run by Chairman and CEO Hans Lerch, who has assumed the chairmanship until further notice following the departure of former Chairman Frank Turner for personal reasons. Nov 30, 2006 Z Editor: Aram Gesar, eMail: [e-mail]

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Nov 13, 2006