Company Watch - Airbus.

For more company news, data and analysis, please go to: http://www.airguideonline.com/professional.htm Aug 28, 2006

A380 will change air travel. The Airbus A380 superjumbo jet will launch a new era of aviation when it starts flying late this year or early in 2007, writes Mary Ann Anderson in the San Jose Mercury News. The plane will carry more passengers than any airliner in the world, and its fuselage is the widest in the industry. Aug 27, 2006

Airbus has finally flown the prototype Engine Alliance, a joint venture between General Electric and Pratt & Whitney, GP7200 A380, albeit nine months late. The 'plane is eventually due to be delivered to Emirates with a November 2007 date penciled in. All previous A380 have been Rolls-Royce powered. A second GP7200 aircraft is due to join the flight test program next spring. First delivery of an A380 to lead customer Singapore Airlines is still set for the late introduction date of December 2006. Aug 26, 2006

Mexicana closes in on Airbus order deal. Mexicana could acquire up to 40 new Airbus narrow-body aircraft for replacement and airline network growth, depending on whether new agreements are reached with its three major unions. The bid is intended to move Mexicana to a nearly all-Airbus fleet, with newer planes to better meet demand. Aug 25, 2006

TAM took delivery of an A320, the eighth of the type delivered to it this year and the 89th aircraft in its fleet. Aug 24, 2006

Avion Group said it formed a joint venture with Australasian airline group Advent Air Ltd. calling for Avion subsidiaries Star Airlines of France and Star Europe of Germany to provide up to four A320s to Advent Air subsidiary Skywest, a Perth-based Regional. Skywest will operate the aircraft from November to April, which is its peak season and Avion's low season. Aug 22, 2006

TFC GmbH Kaufer was chosen by CSA Czech Airlines to supply an A320 cabin training simulator. It is scheduled for delivery to CSA's Prague training center in September 2007. Aug 22, 2006

Airlines study restrictions on in-flight phone use. Airlines are looking for ways to limit phone conversations once technology is introduced to make it safe for passengers to use their cell phones mid-flight. OnAir, which is developing satellite technology for Airbus planes, says cabin crews would be able to disable phones' voice function. Some carriers say they may ban the service altogether. Aug 24, 2006

Yemenia Yemen Airways secured European Aviation Safety Agency Part 145 certification for services provided by its maintenance and engineering division. The airline will offer heavy MRO and checks on A330-200s, A310-300s, 737-200s, 737-800s and 727-200s in its own fleet as well for third parties. Aug 25, 2006