Company Watch - Airbus.

For more company data and analysis, please go to: http://www.airguideonline.com/professional.htm May 22, 2006

Airbus to begin A320 freighter conversion line in Russia. Airbus has chosen Russia as its initial partner in the eventual passenger-to-freighter conversion of its A320 family aircraft, announcing yesterday at the ILA Airshow in Berlin the execution of a preliminary cooperation agreement with EADS EFW, MiG and Irkut.Conversion activities for A320s and A321s will include design, kit production, conversion and maintenance and are scheduled to begin in Russia in 2011. This is the first announcement of any A320 passenger-to-freighter conversion program. EADS and Rosaviakosmos signed an LOI in 2001 outlining Airbus's plan to offer Russian companies $800 million in business over 10 years. Airbus said it will raise that figure by $100 million "due to the success of the program." It noted that nine Russian and CIS airlines operate 40 Airbus aircraft. May 17, 2006

Airbus conducted A318 airport compatibility tests at London City on May 13 and said the type offers twice the range of aircraft currently serving LCY. The A318 was granted steep approach certification in March, paving the way for Saturday's compatibility tests. London City Airport welcomed the first ever visit by an Airbus on Saturday May 13, in this case an A318. In March the authorities granted the A318 a steep approach certification enabling compatibility tests to take place. This is an important part of the programme aimed at enabling the aircraft to undertake commercial flights at the airport. Substantially bigger with a maximum of 132 seats and with a much longer range, than the aircraft currently using London City the A318 represents the future of LCY, an aircraft available new unlike the AVRO/BAe 146 series aircraft that currently predominate, but are out of production. Offering getting on for twice the range of existing aircraft serving the airport, the A318 will allow commercial operators to offer new markets such as Rome, Madrid and Eastern Europe. The A318 Elite corporate jet version could operate even further afield. Problems still have to be overcome regarding full certification and apron space but in the meantime the airport is now, like Exeter, up for sale. A piece of perfect Irish timing. May 18, 2006

Airbus (and not its client carriers) stole the headlines. The Airbus A380 touched down on London Heathrow's Southern Runway yesterday and parked at Terminal 3, Pier 6, a new purpose-built, [pounds sterling]105 million ($198.4 million), three-story pier that can accommodate up to four A380s simultaneously. The new Terminal 5, scheduled to open in 2008, also will accommodate the aircraft. The A380 will begin flying into London Heathrow and the airport will become the major hub for the aircraft with Singapore Airlines the first carrier to introduce the aircraft expected in November or December 2007 at Terminal 3. May 19, 2006