Company Watch - Airbus.

Apr 30, 2007

Gallois to begin three-stage Power8 talks with Airbus labor leaders today EADS co-CEO and Airbus CEO Louis Gallois said negotiations with labor unions on Airbus's Power8 restructuring plan, which calls for 10,000 job cuts, will begin today with an aim toward concluding by mid-July. Apr 27, 2007

Airbus A380 could determine Airbus' reputation. The Airbus A380 superjumbo jet could make or break the jetmaker's reputation, analysts say. European leaders have called the plane a symbol of European cooperation. However, problems with the plane's electrical system have forced Airbus to delay deliveries and spurred some airlines to purchase Boeing jets. Airbus is now in the middle of a restructuring plan that involves shedding six plants and cutting thousands of jobs. Apr 27, 2007

Airbus: A380 program 'on track,' 20 new orders possible this yearThe first A380 designated for launch customer Singapore Airlines is "in the paint shop" and on schedule for an October delivery, a sign that the troubled aircraft program finally is progressing normally, Airbus executives said. Apr 26, 2007

EADS and United Aircraft Building Corp. will operate a joint venture to convert A320s and A321s to freighters for entry into service beginning in 2011. Speaking yesterday at Airbus's annual Technical Press Briefing in Toulouse, COO-Customers John Leahy said the conversions will take place a t facilities in Dresden and north of Moscow. The cost for an A320P2F will be $4.5 million, rising to $5 million for an A321P2F. The converted A320 freighter will carry a payload of 23 tons while the A321 will carry up 27 tons. Apr 26, 2007

Airbus wins Israir Airlines order In a deal that marks Israel's first entry into the purchased Airbus market, Israir has placed an order for three A320 aircraft. Apr 23, 2007

A380 To Fly To India For Kingfisher Airlines. The Airbus A380 superjumbo aircraft will arrive in Indian skies next month on a promotional flight for Kingfisher Airlines, the carrier said on Thursday Apr 26, 2007

Airbus misses Virgin long-haul order. Airbus has admitted that delays to the A350 program kept it out of the running for the valued order for Virgin Atlantic long-haul. Apr 25, 2007

Airbus did not contend for this week's $2.8 billion aircraft order by Virgin Atlantic Airways, the manufacturer admitted. Virgin placed orders for 15 787-9s plus options and purchase rights for an additional 28. With deliveries to begin in 2011, the A350 XWB, which won't begin delivering until 2014, was unable to compete, Airbus COO-Customers John Leahy conceded this week in Toulouse at the company's Technical Press Briefing. "We didn't put an offer in on the A350 at Virgin," he said. "They asked for a 2011 delivery and if you want 2011, I'm not going to try to convince you that 2014 is the right thing to do." Apr 27, 2007

Aviation Capital Group yesterday announced orders for 20 Airbus A320 family aircraft, five Boeing 787s and 15 737NGs. The Boeing aircraft previously had been listed as unidentified on the manufacturer's orders and deliveries website. The order is worth approximately $1.6 billion at list prices and represents the lessor's first commitment to the 787. It currently owns a combined 138 737 Classics, 737NGs, 757s and 767s and has an additional 52 Boeing aircraft on order. The Airbus order comprises four A319s, 14 A320s and two A321s. ACG currently has more than 70 A320 family aircraft in its portfolio, Airbus said, adding that the latest order is the first direct transaction between ACG and the European manufacturer. Apr 24, 2007

Emirates is looking to leverage its new seven-hangar, $353 million maintenance facility in Dubai, which it said is the largest civil aviation MRO facility in the world, to become the maintenance "Center of Excellence" for the A380. "We have made a huge investment. We now have the capacity and can look for third-party A380 work," Senior VP-Aircraft Maintenance Iain Lachlan said yesterday took a tour of the facility, which is built on a 55-hectare site and became operational last September. Each hangar can accommodate an aircraft of any size, including an Airbus A380-900. An eighth hangar is dedicated for painting and will go live in August. The hangars have nearly the same dimensions as the A380 assembly facilities. Apr 26, 2007

Emirates EK Engineering started preparations two years go for Airbus A380 operations. The first of 45 ordered A380s should be delivered to the airline in August 2008 at the latest. "We believe that we need up to four mechanics when an A380 stops for transit," Lachlan said. An A330 requires two. The company will offer third-party work on Boeing 777s, Airbus A330s and other aircraft only if capacity is available. With its growing fleet, EK Engineering wants to prioritize its own aircraft. Lachlan said EKE has spares inventory worth up to $500 million not including 36 spare engines. Apr 26, 2007

Engine Alliance GP7200, which will power the Airbus A380, attained EASA CS-E certification, the GE-Aviation/Pratt & Whitney joint venture announced. US FAA certified it in December 2005. Joint EASA and FAA aircraft certification is expected by year end. Emirates, Air France, Korean Air and ILFC have selected the engine. Apr 26, 2007

FlyAsianXpress, operator of AirAsia's new long-haul, low-cost AirAsia X subsidiary, confirmed its order for 10 Airbus A330-300s for delivery starting late next year. The deal also includes five options. The airline had evaluated the Boeing 777 but was unable to secure early delivery positions. AirAsia's Tony Fernandes said AirAsia X hopes to be flying 25 Airbus A330-300s in the next five years, according to AFX News, which also reported that the aircraft will be configured in two classes. Apr 23, 2007

LAN Airlines announced it likely will lease up to four Airbus A340s next year and add four Boeing 777 freighters in 2009-11. Apr 26, 2007

Malaysia Airlines wants to buy up to 55 narrow-body planes in a deal worth up to USD$4.4 billion to replace its ageing fleet, a newspaper said on Thursday. Apr 26, 2007

Qatar Airways Airbus A300 destroyed in Gamco fire at Abu Dhabi Morrow First images from the scene of the Gulf Aircraft Maintenance (Gamco) hangar fire in Abu Dhabi confirm that the aircraft at the centre of the blaze, a Qatar Airways Airbus A300-600, has been completely destroyed. Apr 23, 2007

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Apr 23, 2007