Company Watch - Airbus.

Apr 2, 2007

The Airbus A350XWB, a competitor to Boeing[sup.1]s 787, should make its maiden flight in 2012 with entry into service in 2013. Mar 29, 2007

Airbus A380 wraps up U.S. tour The Airbus 380 superjumbo jet ended its U.S. tour on Monday. Most reporters and passengers aboard the plane agreed that it is remarkable and huge, but others cautioned its large size may make it impractical. The plane can seat up to 853 passengers. Mar 27, 2007

The extended-range Airbus A350-900R adopts -1000's six-wheel gear Airbus will incorporate the A350-1000 XWB's standard six-wheel main landing-gear bogie on the extended-range version of the A350-900 to enable the twinjet to sustain weight increases and ensure that its range growth will not be "compromised". Mar 26, 2007

Aeroflot, indicating that it would be Boeing 777 bound, the russian airlinee has changed its mind and has signed a Memorandum of Understanding for 22 Airbus A350XWB aircraft, although no delivery date has been specified. Mar 29, 2007

Airbus parent EADS and Russia's United Aircraft Corp. signed four cooperation agreements last week in conjunction with Aeroflot's order for 22 A350 XWBs. The first establishes Russia's role in A350 construction and pledges 5% airframe participation . "The discussions about which components of the aircraft will be designed and built in Russia are still ongoing," EADS said. The second agreement establishes the previously announced A320 freighter conversion joint venture in Lukovitsky and Dresden , the third "foresees a joint study of the transport aircraft market and possible cooperation between EADS and the Russian industry in this field" and the fourth covers UAC's purchase of Kaskol Group's holding in Engineering Centre Airbus Russia. Mar 26, 2007

Lufthansa getting head start with continued A380 proving flights Airbus and Lufthansa continued the A380 route-proving program through yesterday, flying the aircraft between Germany and Hong Kong and then to the US for a demonstration flight over Washington. was a guest on both flights. Mar 27, 2007

Qantas To Buy 9 Airbus A320s For Jetstar Australian takeover target Qantas Airways said on Thursday it planned to buy nine additional Airbus A320 planes to be used by its low-cost subsidiary Jetstar. Mar 29, 2007

Boeing closes on three-digit order book for 747-8 family. Vicious battle envisaged as widebody goes head-to-head with A380 for major deals. Boeing has reached the 1,500 order milestone for the 747 program amid rising optimism from the company that it can reach the 100-order mark for the recently launched 747-8 variant within months. Meanwhile, International Lease Finance chairman and chief executive Steven Udvar-Hazy says a battle royal is brewing between the new Boeing giant and the Airbus A380 as the two sides compete for some key customers. Mar 26, 2007

JetBlue Airways took delivery of its 100th Airbus A320 last week. The aircraft will have stylized 100s painted on the tail. Mar 30, 2007

Thai Airways board announced approval of the sale of two Airbus A300-600s that will leave the fleet by June and the purchase of a Boeing 747-400 the airline has been leasing since 1997 when the contract expires in April 2008. Mar 30, 2007

Qantas will boost its domestic operation with nine new Airbus A320s to be delivered over a 15-month period from late 2007 and used by Jetstar. The company is girding itself for the arrival of Tiger Airways Australia, which aims to challenge Qantas with a low-cost product. In addition, Qantas said four Boeing 767-300s used in international operations and scheduled to be sold instead will be transferred to domestic routes in the middle of this year. "The additional capacity for both Jetstar and Qantas, along with previously announced plans for QantasLink, should enable the Qantas Group to maintain its 65% share of the Australian domestic market," CEO Geoff Dixon said. Jetstar will use the new A320s on popular leisure routes and "to look at new destinations within Australia," he said. Mar 29, 2007

Editor: Aram Gesar, eMail: [e-mail] For Air Transport & Travel Business Experts contact eMail: [e-mail]

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Mar 26, 2007