Airbus News
Airbus final assembly line China achieves 2009 target
Eleven A320 family aircraft delivered from Tianjin on schedule and on quality.
United $10bn order signals aviation recovery
The aviation industry has received one of the clearest signals yet of embarking on the road to recovery after United Airlines placed an order for 50 aircraft from Boeing and Airbus, worth almost $10bn, and marks its first order in over a decade.
A350 XWB first composite lay-up manufactured in Nantes
The first composite lay-up for the A350 XWB has been manufactured today in Nantes, France, and marks the ‘coming to life’ of Airbus’s new long range aircraft.
Airbus trounces Boeing at Dubai Air Show
Airbus has trounced its bitter rival Boeing at the Dubai Air Show by received five times more orders by value. It received US$5.3bn in orders and letters of intent, against two orders worth US$800m from Boeing. However sales were down dramatically from the last time the biannual show was held in 2007, when they received a combined order worth US$75bn.
Airbus wins commitments worth USD 5.3 billion at Dubai Air Show
During the 2009 Dubai Air Show, Airbus announced commitments across its broad product range covering a total of 33 aircraft, valued at over US$5.3 billion. These commitments include firm orders for 15 aircraft worth more than US$3.6 billion, plus memorandum of understanding (MoU) agreements for a further 18 aircraft totalling around $1.7 billion.
Airbus wins major Ethiopian order
Airbus has revealed it has won an order from Ethiopian Airlines, a long-term Boeing customer for 12 of its new A350 XWB aircraft in a deal valued at about $2.8 billion at list price, bringing its total worldwide orders for the plane to 505.
Air NZ secures aircraft deal
Air New Zealand is replacing its domestic fleet of Boeing 737-300s with $1bn worth of Airbus A320s. The first plane will be delivered in 2011, with the rest of the fleet gradually replaced by 2015.
Saudi Arabian Airlines takes delivery of first Airbus A320
Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia), Saudi Arabia’s national airline, has taken the delivery of its first Airbus A320 becoming the newest operator of the aircraft. The aircraft was acquired under a long term lease agreement with ALAFCO.
Airbus welcomes 50 per cent synthetic fuel milestone
Airbus welcomes the latest steps towards the approval by ASTM International, one of the largest voluntary standards developing organizations in the world, for the use of a 50 per cent synthetic jet fuel in commercial aviation. Synthetic liquid jet fuels can be made from biomass, natural gas or coal. All of these are known as xTL
fuels.
Airbus raises forecast on signs of recovery
Airbus’ Chief Operating Officer John Leahy has revealed he is optimistic that the airline industry is recovering — although he warned that financing conditions remain tight. The company says airlines will buy 25,000 planes worth $3.1 trillion over the next 20 years, buoyed by Asian sales and increased demand for single-aisle models.
WTO poised to outlaw Airbus state aid
The World Trade Organization is set to rule today what is being dubbed as the biggest trade dispute in history - between aerospace giants Boeing and Airbus. The US planemaker is accusing the EU of handing out illegal subsidies to its arch rival, and it is believed that the WTO is expected to agree.
UK fronts £350m to develop Airbus carbon A350
The UK government is to provide Airbus with a launch aid package worth £350m to develop the A350 XWB, a carbon-fibre aircraft that aims to rival Boeing’s Dreamliner. The package amounts to roughly half what Airbus was seeking from the UK to develop the wide-body jet.
Airbus orders plummet 86%
Airbus has weathered one of the toughest episodes in aviation history by reporting a rise in aircraft deliveries for the first six months of 2009. But the worst could be yet to come with new orders for the period shrinking a massive 86% to 68, compared with 487 in the same period last year.
Airbus delivers first Chinese-built aircraft
Airbus has delivered the first A320 aircraft made at its Chinese factory, saying the event symbolised its long-term focus on the Chinese aviation market.Airbus hopes the plant in the northern city of Tianjin will deliver a big advantage over arch rival Boeing. The latter makes components in China, but Airbus is the first to have a full production facility in the country, as it vies to meet fast-growing Chinese demand for commercial aircraft.
Airbus tops 100 jet orders at Paris Air Show
The aviation industry has finally been served some good news as Wizz Air has said it is placing an order with Airbus for 50 short-haul planes, as it attempts to become one the largest low-cost carriers in Europe.The order rounds off a hugely successful week for Airbus at the Paris Air Show. The Toulouse-based manufacturer has secured firm orders for more than 100 jets, despite the current turmoil within the industry.
Airbus trims production
Airbus has adapted its production rates of its A320 Family programme from 36 to 34 a month from October 2009 onwards. Production rates of the A330/A340 family will be paused at the current level of 8.5 a month, and not increased further as previously planned. This decision reflects Airbus’ current view on market demand in times of airlines adapting their capacities and of continuing uncertainties caused by the worldwide economic crisis.
Airbus shuns lure of Ryanair mega deal
Airbus has spurned Ryanair‘s attempt to lure it into a bidding war with Boeing over a multi-billion dollar order for up to 400 short-haul jets.The European aircraft manufacturer says it is unwilling to offer the scale of discounts Ryanair is seeking. The low-cost carrier is aiming to take advantage of the weakening commercial aerospace market.
French goverment to bail out Airbus
The French government has extended its lending spree to struggling industries by drawing up a plan to provide up to €5bn in state aid to Airbus.The country’s latest bank bailout plan was seen by many as indirect aid to the world’s largest aircraft manufacturer, which faces falling demand as airlines struggle to raise finance to purchase a back-log of aircraft orders.
Airbus crashes into Hudson river
US Airways flight 1549, an Airbus A320 en route to Charlotte from LaGuardia, with at least 152 people aboard, has crashed into the Hudson River in New York City but no loss of life has been reported.
Inflight Mobile Phone Use - A Step Closer to Reality
OnAir has partnered with the Airbus facility at Buxtehude to develop and seek certification for an airborne system for the commercial use of mobile phones on board aircraft.
