Airbus News
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.