http://stagev4.airbus.comAirbus news feeden-ushttp://stagev4.airbus.com/en/utilities/rss_intro.htmlhttp://stagev4.airbus.com/img/identical/logo_blogs.gifhttp://stagev4.airbus.comhttp://stagev4.airbus.com/en/presscentre/pressreleases/pressreleases_items/01_14_02_jetBlue.html
"Despite the airline industry's current climate, jetBlue is moving forward with its original controlled growth business plan," said David Neeleman, jetBlue's Chief Executive Officer. "More than four million customers have come to love our brand new A320s as a safe, reliable and comfortable way to travel for business and pleasure. We look forward to welcoming many more aboard our new fleet this year and in the years to come."

"JetBlue continues to defy convention," said Noël Forgeard, CEO of Airbus. "It has found great and rapid success as a start-up by remaining cutting edge both in its aircraft selection and in its low-fare, high-service product. Airbus is very proud to be a part of the continuing jetBlue triumph. We are also, of course, very pleased that they have again selected the A320 to grow their fleet."

Including these 10 additional aircraft, jetBlue has placed orders for a total of 74 A320 aircraft, putting the carrier among Airbus' top-five customers for the aircraft type. Each of jetBlue's A320s carries 162 passengers in a roomy single-class configuration, offering LiveTV and leather upholstery in every seat.

Designed to optimize passenger comfort and maximize cost savings, the A318, A319, A320 and A321 form the world's most profitable and best-selling single-aisle aircraft family. All derived from the same fuselage, the A320 Family provides operators with the highest degree of commonality and economy for aircraft in the 107-185 seat category.

With the world's most modern and extensive airliner family on offer, Airbus consistently wins about half of large airliner sales - 100 seats and above - and currently has firm orders for more than 4,400 airliners from some 200 customers and operators around the globe. Airbus is a joint EADS Company with BAE SYSTEMS.]]>Mon, 14 Jan 2002 00:00:00 +0100customer,a320,miscellaneous,asset_man,francehttp://stagev4.airbus.com/en/presscentre/pressreleases/pressreleases_items/01_15_02_A318.html
The flight is captained by Bernd Schaefer, Chief Pilot, Hamburg, with Jacques Rosay, Airbus Chief Test Pilot, as first officer, Manfred Birnfeld and Hermann Schmoeckel as flight test engineers and Bernard Kamps as test flight engineer.

The A318 took off at a weight of 57.5 tonnes (126,800 lbs). Around 7 tonnes (15,400 lbs) of flight test instrumentation, including 94 km/58 miles of electrical wiring, are used to record the thousands of parameters necessary for a full and thorough analysis of the aircraft's in-flight performance. Today's first flight is powered by PW6000 engines from Pratt & Whitney.

The A318 was launched in April 1999 to extend the benefits of Airbus commonality and comfort standards to the 100-seater market. Designed to serve high-frequency low-density routes, the A318 further strengthens the A320 Family's position as the most versatile, economical and best-selling single-aisle aircraft available today. 114 A318s are currently on order from 9 customers. The A318 will be certified first with CFM56-5 engines. Entry into airline service is scheduled for the third quarter of 2003.

With some 4,400 orders booked to date from 180 customers worldwide, Airbus is a leading manufacturer of commercial aircraft seating more than 100 passengers and offers the most modern and comprehensive airliner family in the world. Headquartered in Toulouse, France, Airbus is a joint EADS Company with BAE SYSTEMS.]]>Tue, 15 Jan 2002 00:00:00 +0100corporate,a320,event,innovation,flight_op,germanyhttp://stagev4.airbus.com/en/presscentre/pressreleases/pressreleases_items/01_15_02_Honeywell.html
"In its continuing search for excellence in this landmark program, Airbus has come to the United Stats once again to supply another critical element of the A380," said Allan McArtor, Chairman of Airbus North America Holdings, Inc. "Our relationship with Honeywell dates back to the early 1980s and has grown exponentially since then. We are very pleased to expand our business with them further as a result of this contract."

Honeywell's state-of-the-art FMS system features new hardware for greater speed and will use a graphic display with pop-up menus and cursor controls rather than the conventional text-based interface. The system will still be operated by a keyboard, but will require less typing due to item selection availability, resulting in time savings and fewer entry errors.

Airbus has firm orders and commitments for 97 A380s from nine customers, including Air France, Emirates, FedEx, ILFC, Lufthansa, Qantas, Qatar, Singapore and Virgin Atlantic.

Designed in close collaboration with major airlines, airports and airworthiness authorities, the A380 superjumbo is the most advanced, spacious and efficient airliner ever conceived. The A380 embodies the most advanced technologies, providing 15 to 20 percent lower operating costs than the largest aircraft flying today, 10 to 15 percent more range, as well as lower fuel burn, less noise and lower emissions. The A380 will enter airline service in early 2006, setting a completely new standard in air travel.

With some 4,400 orders booked to date from around 180 customers worldwide, Airbus is a leading manufacturer in the market for large commercial aircraft. Headquartered in Toulouse (France), Airbus is an EADS joint Company with BAE Systems.]]>Tue, 15 Jan 2002 00:00:00 +0100corporate,a380,miscellaneous,procurement,francehttp://stagev4.airbus.com/en/presscentre/pressreleases/pressreleases_items/01_23_02_A380.html
The traditional "first metal cut" from the machining of an aluminum triform (wing-to-fuselage junction) was accompanied today by the production of the first carbon fibre component for the centre wing box. The A380's centre wing box measures 7 metres by 6 metres by 2 metres (23 feet by 20 feet by 7 feet) and weighs 12 tonnes (26,500 lbs). The use of composite materials for the manufacture of this part is just one of the many innovative features of this new aircraft. Specialised in the field of structural composites, Airbus' Nantes plant achieved a world premiere with the A340-600, which features the longest carbon fibre keel beam ever built for a civil airliner.

In October 2003, all the A380 parts manufactured at various Airbus sites around Europe will be transported by land and sea to Toulouse for final assembly.

With 97 firm orders and commitments, the A380 has achieved a resounding success on the market in just one year since its launch.

Based in Toulouse, France, Airbus is a global company with design and manufacturing facilities in France, Germany, the U.K. and Spain, as well as fully-owned subsidiaries in the United States, China and Japan. Airbus is a joint EADS Company with BAE SYSTEMS.]]>Wed, 23 Jan 2002 00:00:00 +0100corporate,a380,miscellaneous,francehttp://stagev4.airbus.com/en/presscentre/pressreleases/pressreleases_items/02_01_02_HawkerdeHavilland.html
Hawker de Havilland will supply all of the A380 wingtips and fences for the Airbus A380*, as part of business valued at some A$400 million/US$200 million over the life of the programme. The Airbus deal will thus bring important new business to Australia, as well as helping to safeguard aerospace industry jobs.

The wingtip fences - arrow-shaped surfaces attached to the tip of each wing - help the wing to be more efficient, saving fuel by reducing drag - as well as reducing noise by improving take-off performance. Standing some 2.4 m/7 ft 10 in tall, they will be the largest of their kind in the world.

Hawker de Havilland already builds the wingtip fences for all Airbus A330s and A340s at its factory at Bankstown in Sydney, and has delivered some 450 aircraft sets to date. It won the A380 wingtip and fence work on the grounds of technical competence, commercial competitivity, and its proven ability to deliver a quality product on time and within budget.

"Airbus has a long and successful collaboration with Australian industry, which has consistently delivered quality aircraft sections for our aircraft," says Airbus Executive Vice President A380 Programme Charles Champion. "Our continued partnership with Hawker de Havilland means that Australian workmanship will continue to span the globe in the 21st Century's new flagship, the A380."

In addition to the A380 wingtips and fences, Hawker de Havilland also makes the A330/A340 main undercarriage bay substructure and doors plus A320 wing ribs. This, together with other Airbus work placed with HdH and other local companies prior to the A380 deal, represents more than A$1,000/US$500 million of business for Australian industry.

Launched in December 2000, the A380 has already won some 100 firm orders from the world's leading airlines, including Qantas, which has ordered 12. Qantas plans to use its A380s on the "Kangaroo route" to Europe and on transpacific services, on which it will introduce a new way of flying, through better passenger comfort and economy.

Work has already begun in Europe on producing parts for the A380, which will undergo flight trials in 2005, allowing deliveries to airlines to begin in 2006. Airbus is a joint EADS Company with BAE SYSTEMS.

* Airbus sees a total market for 1,550 aircraft of > 400 seats, worth $343 billion, up to 2019.]]>Fri, 01 Feb 2002 00:00:00 +0100corporate,a380,miscellaneous,procurement,francehttp://stagev4.airbus.com/en/presscentre/pressreleases/pressreleases_items/02_08_02_French_Air_Force.html
The French Air Force ACJs can seat around 50 passengers, and have a range of up to 10,000 km - enough to fly non-stop from Paris to Africa, the West Indies, India or the US East Coast, at a very competitive operational cost. These ACJs will in fact be the first two fly-by-wire French Air Force civilian aircraft, offering a very high level of commonality with the Airbus ultra-long-range four engines A340 Family of aircraft.

Airbus was chosen as the result of a comprehensive competitive tender, as laid out in the "Code des Marchés Publics," which governs purchasing by the French Government. The ACJ was chosen because it offered the best combination of quality, comfort and price.

The French Air Force ACJs will be powered by CFM International CFM56-5B7P engines, a joint venture between General Electric and French motorist SNECMA, each rated at a thrust of 27,000 lb.

The French Air Force, on behalf of the French State, is the second government organisation in Europe to select the ACJ, two being already in service with the Italian Government. The State of Venezuela also recently ordered an ACJ for governmental transportation. This clearly demonstrates how the ACJ increasingly becomes the international reference aircraft for government transport, thanks to its range performances and lower operational costs.

Derived directly from the A319 airliner, the ACJ features the widest and most comfortable cabin in its class, the best investment value, and a comprehensive avionics suite that makes it the only business jet with Category 3B automatic landing capability.

The ACJ is also part of the world's most modern and successful airliner family, which includes the A318, A319, A320 and A321, of which some 2,700 have been sold to over 100 customers and operators.

Headquartered in Toulouse, France, Airbus is a global company with design and manufacturing facilities in France, Germany, the UK and Spain as well as fully owned subsidiaries in the United States, China and Japan. Airbus is a joint EADS Company with BAE SYSTEMS.]]>Fri, 08 Feb 2002 00:00:00 +0100customer,acj,miscellaneous,asset_man,francehttp://stagev4.airbus.com/en/presscentre/pressreleases/pressreleases_items/02_10_02_Ansett.html
Under the terms of the agreement, delivery of the aircraft to be operated by Ansett will begin in the second half of this year, and Airbus will provide all training and field service support for these aircraft in Australia.

When announcing the deal, Tesna Co-Chairman Lindsay Fox stressed the significance of this agreement. "Airbus' A320 Family is the most modern, efficient and environmentally friendly airliner family currently available, and will enable us to offer our passengers the highest level of comfort, alongside the greatest operational flexibility and lowest operating costs." And Co-Chairman Solomon Lew added: "I have confidence that this acquisition provides the basis for Ansett to grow and prosper in an extremely competitive and growing market."

Ansett currently operates in Australia's domestic market. The additional aircraft will allow it to further expand its scheduled service within Australia under the new ownership, and to continue to offer travelers the benefits of true competition. In addition to extremely low operating costs and a unique level of operational flexibility, the A320 Family has the widest cabin in its class with wider seats, and the benefit of containerised cargo underfloor.

Airbus Chief Commercial Officer John Leahy added: "This is a very significant transaction which demonstrates the confidence these successful entrepreneurs have in air transportation. Airbus is very proud to be part in this new undertaking which features the same pioneering spirit as the one with led Airbus to its current success."

A leading aircraft manufacturer with the most modern and comprehensive product line on the market, Airbus is a global company with design and manufacturing facilities in France, Germany, the UK and Spain, as well as subsidiaries in the U.S., China and Japan. Headquartered in Toulouse, France, Airbus is a joint EADS company with BAE SYSTEMS.]]>Sun, 10 Feb 2002 00:00:00 +0100customer,a320,general,asset_man,francehttp://stagev4.airbus.com/en/presscentre/pressreleases/pressreleases_items/02_11_02_A340500.html
The maiden flight was captained by Airbus Chief Test Pilot Jacques Rosay and co-piloted by Experimental Test Pilot Richard Monnoyer. The crew was comprised of flight test engineers Didier Ronceray and Sylvie Loisel-Labaste - the first woman crew member for a maiden flight at Airbus - and test flight engineer Bruno Bigand. The A340-500 is powered by four Trent 500 engines from Rolls-Royce.

The A340-500 took off at a weight of 280 tonnes (617,290 lbs), including around 30.5 tonnes (67,240 lbs) of flight test instrumentation to record the thousands of parameters necessary for a thorough analysis of the aircraft's in-flight performance. This maiden voyage marks the beginning of a comprehensive flight test campaign involving two A340-500s in 340 flight hours, which will culminate in certification and entry into airline service in the fourth quarter of 2002.

Airbus was the first to respond to airline interest in ultra-long range flights, thus permitting such distant city pairs as Los Angeles and Singapore to enjoy non-stop service for the first time. With the A340-500 entering airline service this year, passengers will have experienced the refinement and low noise levels of this new ultra-long range aircraft for more than three years before any competitive offering is available.

The ultra-long range A340-500 was launched in December 1997 alongside its sister aircraft, the high capacity A340-600. Designed in close collaboration with airlines, these two airliners further extend the attraction of the market-leading A330/A340 Family, taking advantage of the latest proven technologies to deliver the ultimate in long range air travel. The A340-500/-600 remain clear leaders in their category, with 56 per cent of the market at the end of 2001. Both new versions are powered by Trent 500 engines from Rolls-Royce.

A leading aircraft manufacturer with the most modern and comprehensive product line on the market, Airbus is a global company with design and manufacturing facilities in France, Germany, the UK and Spain as well as subsidiaries in the U.S., China and Japan. Headquartered in Toulouse, France, Airbus is a joint EADS Company with BAE SYSTEMS.]]>Mon, 11 Feb 2002 00:00:00 +0100corporate,a330a340,innovation,flight_op,francehttp://stagev4.airbus.com/en/presscentre/pressreleases/pressreleases_items/02_22_02_Beluga.html
On-board the Beluga, the 3,000 kilogram satellite was packaged in two special containers with individual isotherm protection for the trip. The total consignment was 4.8 metres high, 7 metres long and 4.5 metres wide, too large to be carried by any other freight aircraft. Each container was linked to a preheating device, especially developed by Airbus Transport International for this type of satellite transportation, maintaining a constant temperature inside the containers during the flight. The platform and the payload of the satellite were in separate containers.

Named after the bulbous white whale it resembles, the Beluga was developed by Airbus primarily to transport its own aircraft sections among its manufacturing sites across Europe. Today, five Belugas are in service with Airbus. The main deck of the A300-600ST is 37.7 metres long and the diameter of the cross section is 7.1 metres- wider than any other civil or military aircraft type currently in service. The Beluga can carry up to 47 tonnes of freight over a range of 1,670 km/900 nm.

In addition, the aircraft are available for charter operations through a subsidiary company, Airbus Transport International (www.airbustransport.com) which has encountered ever-increasing demand for this unique service. To date the Belugas have carried several modules for the International Space Station and are also the preferred transport for large and valuable paintings. The personalized service offered by ATI thus ensures a high level of customer satisfaction with loading, unloading and delivery designed to be fast, safe, flexible and reliable, as demonstrated by five years of successful operations.

A leading aircraft manufacturer with the most modern and comprehensive product line on the market, Airbus is a global company with design and manufacturing facilities in France, Germany, the UK and Spain, as well as subsidiaries in the U.S., China and Japan. Headquartered in Toulouse, France, Airbus is a joint EADS Company with BAE SYSTEMS.]]>Fri, 22 Feb 2002 00:00:00 +0100customer,ati,miscellaneous,flight_op,francehttp://stagev4.airbus.com/en/presscentre/pressreleases/pressreleases_items/02_26_02_A80_manual.html
The Airplane Characteristics manual provides specific A380 data needed by airport authorities and planners to support the operation of the A380 within their airports. Data such as airplane dimensions, take off and landing distances, terminal operations data, taxiing, parking and pavement loading requirements are provided for the A380-800 and A380-800F, the passenger and freighter versions of the A380.

Airbus has been working with planning teams from 50 major airports in five continents to ensure smooth handling of the A380 when it enters service in 2006 and the Airplane Characteristics manual is a major support for this.

Following release of this first manual and up to entry into service of the A380, Airbus will deliver a full range of technical data for the maintenance, engineering, material support and flight operations departments of A380 airline customers. Technical data for the A380 will be available in electronic format according to the most recent aviation industry standards, which are more efficient and user friendly. They will be accessible through Airbus On Line Services, the Airbus portal for Customer Support.

With 97 firm orders and commitments, the A380 has achieved a resounding success on the market in just one year from its launch.

Based in Toulouse, France, Airbus is a global company with design and manufacturing facilities in France, Germany, the U.K and Spain, as well as fully-owned subsidiaries in the United States, China and Japan. Airbus is a joint EADS Company with BAE SYSTEMS.]]>Tue, 26 Feb 2002 00:00:00 +0100corporate,a380,general,customer,francehttp://stagev4.airbus.com/en/presscentre/pressreleases/pressreleases_items/02_27_02_SALE.html
Including the newly exercised option, S.A.L.E. has placed orders for three A319s, 42 A320s and six A321s. Of these, 19 A320s and two A321s have already been delivered to the Singapore-based aircraft leasing company. Delivery of the newly exercised A320 is scheduled for May 2004.

Robert Martin, S.A.L.E. Managing Director, said that the lessor maintained its outlook for a return to growth in the air transport market within the next year, generating further demand for new generation aircraft types.

"Following the recent retirement by airlines of many older aircraft, we believe that demand for newer aircraft types such as the A320 Family will be strong in the coming years," he said. "At S.A.L.E. we have therefore maintained all our firm orders, continue to convert our A320 Family options and are also acquiring additional aircraft through purchase and leaseback agreements."

Noël Forgeard, Airbus President and Chief Executive Officer, noted that the order once again underscored the A320 Family's position as the aircraft of choice in the single-aisle category.

"The leasing market is a barometer of the long-term preferences of both the airlines and financial institutions and we are therefore heartened that S.A.L.E. has once again affirmed its confidence in the A320 Family," Mr. Forgeard said.

Designed to optimise passenger comfort and ensure savings in just about every element of direct operating costs, the 107-seat A318, 124-seat A319, 150-seat A320 and 185-seat A321 form the world's most profitable and fastest selling single-aisle aircraft family. The A320 Family offers passengers the widest cabin and most comfortable seats of any single-aisle airliner, as well as an unmatched combination of economy and range. Airbus has booked more than 2,700 orders for the A320 Family to date, of which over 1,600 have been delivered to more than 100 customers.

A leading aircraft manufacturer with the most modern and comprehensive product line on the market, Airbus is a global company with design and manufacturing facilities in France, Germany, the UK and Spain as well as subsidiaries in the U.S., China and Japan. Headquartered in Toulouse, France, Airbus is a joint EADS Company with BAE SYSTEMS.]]>Wed, 27 Feb 2002 00:00:00 +0100customer,a320,miscellaneous,asset_man,francehttp://stagev4.airbus.com/en/presscentre/pressreleases/pressreleases_items/02_27_02_LOMS.html
Conceived and developed by Airbus engineers and Airbus test pilots, LOMS is a measurement, analysis and reporting software tool for flight operations data monitoring. It can be integrated in any airline's FOM programme.

Routine tracking and reinforcement of operating standards is one objective of the diagnostic presented by LOMS; the other is a critical perception of pilot training programmes and published standard operating procedures. LOMS focuses on identification of deviations from good flight operating practices as violations of good operating practice, using a global statistical approach.

LOMS has already attracted four other airlines: China Southern Airlines (operating 6 A320s), Sichuan Airlines (operating 6 A320s and 2 A321s), Spanair (operating 3 A320s and 3 A321s) and Middle East Airlines (operating 3 A320s, 2 A321s, 1 A300 and 3 A310s).

A leading aircraft manufacturer with the most modern and comprehensive product line on the market, Airbus is a global company with design and manufacturing facilities in France, Germany, the UK and Spain as well as subsidiaries in the U.S., China and Japan. Headquartered in Toulouse, France, Airbus is a joint EADS Company with BAE SYSTEMS.]]>Wed, 27 Feb 2002 00:00:00 +0100customer,a320,miscellaneous,customer,chinahttp://stagev4.airbus.com/en/presscentre/pressreleases/pressreleases_items/02_28_02_vendors.html
The ten vendors, which include Airbus France Avionics & Simulation Products, AirCruisers, Avio-Diepen, B/E Aerospace, Eltra Aeronautics, FR-HITEMP, Messier Services, Pacific Scientific, Satair and Smiths Industries, provide spare parts, avionics repair, customer liaison and training to Airbus operators in China and the Asia-Pacific region at large.

They bring the total numbers in partnership with Airbus at the center to 20. In cooperation with Airbus, they continue to demonstrate their support and commitment to the region.

The 10 companies already participating in the center are Eaton Aerospace, Hamilton Sundstrand, Honeywell, Interturbine, Intertechnique, Litton Aero Products, Parker Aerospace, Sully Produits Speciaux, Thales Avionics and TPA PTE LTD. Together they represent over 80% of vendor spares most likely to be needed, and complement an Airbus stock of 24,000 spare parts.

The vendor presence at the Beijing-based CASC/Airbus Customer Services Support Centre is a unique benefit to Airbus customers, distinguishing the faculty from other customer services support facilities. It helps to ensure a fast response to airline needs while reducing costs and turnaround time at its CAAC, JAA and FAA approved avionics repair station, as well as providing opportunities for new business and technological co-operation with them.

CASC/Airbus Customer Services Support Centre is part of a state-of-the-art training and support complex jointly established by the China Aviation Supplies Import and Export Corporation (CASC) and Airbus. As part of Airbus' global customer services network, this facility makes training and support more accessible and convenient to Airbus operators in China as well as in the Asia-Pacific region. The facility represents an investment of more than US$80 million by Airbus in the important Chinese market.

Airbus entered China in 1985 and its market share has kept increasing. In terms of fleet in service and orders, Airbus aircraft market share in China (including Hong Kong and Macao) has risen to 28 percent at present from 13 percent at the beginning of 1995. Its fleet has also been expanded to 168 from 29. Airbus sees opportunities to further develop its industrial cooperation with the Chinese industry and to integrate new suppliers in its network. Four Chinese manufacturers are already involved in manufacturing parts, such as wing components, emergency-exit doors and maintenance tools, for Airbus aircraft.

With some 4,400 orders booked to date from around 180 customers world-wide, Airbus is the joint number one manufacturer in the market for large commercial aircraft. Headquartered in Toulouse (France), Airbus is an EADS joint Company with BAE Systems.]]>Thu, 28 Feb 2002 00:00:00 +0100corporate,organisation,customer,chinahttp://stagev4.airbus.com/en/presscentre/pressreleases/pressreleases_items/03_21_02_Frontier.html
"Frontier continues to demonstrate its strength in the marketplace by moving forward at pace with continued confidence in the A320 Family," said Noël Forgeard, President and Chief Executive Officer of Airbus. "Frontier's selection of the A319 also highlights its dedication to passengers by offering the most comfortable and economical aircraft in its class."

Frontier's A319s seat 132 passengers in a single class, featuring a generous 33-inch seat pitch. The carrier's current A319 fleet, and those newly ordered, are equipped with CFM56-5 engines from CFM International. Frontier's A318s will also feature CFM engines, a recent selection made by the airline to ensure the earliest possible aircraft delivery availability.

Denver-based Frontier is one of two U.S. low-fare carriers to place firm orders for the A320 Family in the first quarter of 2002 (JetBlue ordered 10 A320s in January), a testament to the unmatched economics of Airbus single-aisle aircraft.

A leading aircraft manufacturer with the most modern and comprehensive product line on the market, Airbus is a global company with design and manufacturing facilities in France, Germany, the UK and Spain as well as subsidiaries in the U.S., China and Japan. Headquartered in Toulouse, France, Airbus is a joint EADS Company with BAE SYSTEMS.]]>Thu, 21 Mar 2002 00:00:00 +0100customer,a320,miscellaneous,asset_man,francehttp://stagev4.airbus.com/en/presscentre/pressreleases/pressreleases_items/04_16_02_ChinaEastern.html
The purchase agreement was signed by Ye Yigan, Chairman of China Eastern Airlines and John Leahy, Chief Commercial Officer of Airbus in a ceremony presided over by Liu Shaoyong, President of China Eastern Airlines.

"Selection of the A320s will improve our operating efficiency thanks to the aircraft's commonality with our existing fleet," said China Eastern Airlines President Liu Shaoyong during the signing ceremony. "The expansion of our A320 fleet further reinforces the foundation for our continued growth and prosperity."

"We are delighted that China Eastern Airlines, our first and largest customer in China, is giving a further vote of confidence to our products," said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer.

"We are extremely pleased that China Eastern Airlines has again selected the A320 to expand its fleet," said Noël Forgeard, Airbus President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). "This agreement marks a new milestone in the long-standing cooperation between China Eastern Airlines and Airbus. The close partnership between our companies is a great source of pride for us."

The best-selling A320 Family's optimised cabin cross-section has set a new standard for passenger comfort in single-aisle aircraft, allowing for wider seats and aisles as well as more capacious overhead stowage. Comprised of the A318, A319, A320 and A321, which all share the highest degree of commonality and economy, the A320 Family offers many advantages for operators, such as reduced maintenance and training costs. By the end of March, the A320 Family had booked 2,782 firm orders from 108 customers worldwide.

Based in Shanghai, China Eastern Airlines is one of the three largest airline groups in China, with air links to more than 40 domestic destinations and over 20 cities abroad. The airline operates a fleet of more than 70 aircraft, 43 of which are Airbus aircraft.

Airbus' market share has grown steadily since it entered China in 1985. The Airbus fleet in service in the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Macao has grown to 168 today from 29 in 1995. A state-of-the-art training and service centre, which represents an US$80 million investment by Airbus, is fully operational in Beijing. In the field of industrial cooperation, four Chinese manufacturers are already involved in manufacturing parts, such as wing components, emergency-exit doors and maintenance tools, for Airbus aircraft.

A leading aircraft manufacturer, Airbus is a global company with design and manufacturing facilities in France, Germany, the UK and Spain as well as subsidiaries in China, Japan and the U.S. Headquartered in Toulouse, France, Airbus is an EADS joint Company with BAE SYSTEMS.]]>Tue, 16 Apr 2002 00:00:00 +0100customer,a320,miscellaneous,asset_man,chinahttp://stagev4.airbus.com/en/presscentre/pressreleases/pressreleases_items/04_26_02_CathayPacific.html
The Hong Kong-based carrier currently operates 20 A330s and 15 A340s across its international route network, and is among the largest A330/A340 operators today. The airline operates the twin-engine A330 on regional and medium-haul routes across its extensive Asia-Pacific network, while the four engine A340s are deployed on ultra long-haul routes to Europe and North America.

Prior to the delivery of the three additional A330s, Cathay Pacific will also take delivery of the first of three long-range Airbus A340-600 aircraft later this year for use on ultra long-haul routes to Europe and North America.

Cathay Pacific was the first airline in the world to have established a mixed A330/340 fleet operation, fully exploiting the unique common design concept pioneered by Airbus. Sharing the same cockpit layout, operational procedures and handling characteristics, the aircraft are operated by Cathay Pacific as a single fleet, with pilots qualified to fly both types on a regular basis. Further benefits are also achieved through streamlined maintenance procedures as a result of the high level of common on-board systems and airframe components shared by the A330 and A340.

Cathay Pacific Chief Executive Officer and Deputy Chairman David Turnbull said: "Because Cathay Pacific managed itself carefully during the downturn we are now able to plan for a better future. This is an investment in the future of Cathay Pacific and its staff, and underlines our confidence in the future of Hong Kong and our continued effort to strengthen Hong Kong as the region's leading aviation hub."

"This follow-on order from one of the world's most prestigious and forward looking international carriers once again endorses the popularity of the A330 and A340 in their respective market segments; and illustrates the benefits which can be achieved through mixed fleet flying operations," said Airbus Chief Executive Officer Noël Forgeard.

Cathay Pacific's selection of the A330 further reinforces the success of the A330/A340 Family as the preferred choice of airlines worldwide in the medium to long-range segment, with over 700 total orders from 60 customers at the end of March. The A330/A340 Family has been especially successful in the Asia-Pacific, with 180 orders from 16 airlines, including almost every major international carrier in the region.

A leading aircraft manufacturer with the most modern and comprehensive product line on the market, Airbus is a global company with design and manufacturing facilities in France, Germany, the UK and Spain, as well as subsidiaries in the U.S., China and Japan. Headquartered in Toulouse, France, Airbus is a joint EADS Company with BAE SYSTEMS.]]>Fri, 26 Apr 2002 00:00:00 +0100customer,a330a340,miscellaneous,asset_man,chinahttp://stagev4.airbus.com/en/presscentre/pressreleases/pressreleases_items/04_30_02_jetBlue.html
"JetBlue is moving forward with its controlled growth business plan and to date our fleet of A320s has carried more than five million happy customers," said David Neeleman, jetBlue's Chief Executive Officer. "Our Airbus fleet has performed very well, which makes our job - taking our customers where they want to go, comfortably and on time - much easier."

The fact that jetBlue keeps coming back for more demonstrates that the A320 Family has perfect aircraft for growth from both cost and comfort perspectives," said Airbus President and Chief Executive Officer Noël Forgeard. "David Neeleman has built his business by keeping his employees and his customers happy and we're happy that Airbus aircraft continue to be an integral part of that practice."

The Airbus A320 Family includes the 107-seat A318, the 124-seat A319, the 150-seat A320 and the 185-seat A321. Each of these two-engine aircraft features the widest fuselage of any single-aisle aircraft in the world, offering passengers more room to relax and crew members more room to maneuver through the cabin. In addition, the A320 Family features the most economical and environmentally responsible aircraft in their class, offering the lowest fuel burn, emissions and noise footprints in their size category.

A leading aircraft manufacturer with the most modern and comprehensive product line on the market, Airbus is a global company with design and manufacturing facilities in France, Germany, the UK and Spain as well as subsidiaries in the United States, China and Japan. Headquartered in Toulouse, France, Airbus is an EADS joint Company with BAE SYSTEMS.]]>Tue, 30 Apr 2002 00:00:00 +0100customer,a320,miscellaneous,asset_man,francehttp://stagev4.airbus.com/en/presscentre/pressreleases/pressreleases_items/04_30_02_CyprusAirways.html
Seating 126 passengers in a comfortable two-class configuration, Cyprus Airways' A319 will be operated on the airline's growing network in Europe and the Middle East, alongside the A320. The A319 is powered by V2500-A5 engines from International Aero Engines, which also power the airline's A320 fleet.

Designed to optimize passenger comfort and maximize cost savings, the A318, A319, A320 and A321 form the world's most profitable and best-selling single aisle aircraft family. All derived from the same fuselage, the A320 Family provides operators with a high degree of commonality and economy for aircraft in the 107-185 seat category. Some 1,700 A320 Family aircraft are currently in service with almost 100 operators worldwide.

A leading aircraft manufacturer with the world's most modern and extensive airliner family on the market, Airbus is a global company with design and manufacturing facilities in France, Germany, the UK and Spain, as well as subsidiaries in the U.S., China and Japan. Headquartered in Toulouse, France, Airbus is an EADS joint Company with BAE SYSTEMS.]]>Tue, 30 Apr 2002 00:00:00 +0100customer,a320,miscellaneous,asset_man,germanyhttp://stagev4.airbus.com/en/presscentre/pressreleases/pressreleases_items/05_21_02_doors.html
"We have certified, within a very demanding schedule, a new door that both meets the new security requirements and is fully compliant with all current regulations, including the critical rapid decompression criteria," said Airbus Executive Vice-President Engineering Alain Garcia. "We are very proud to be the first large airliner manufacturer to have achieved this."

The new cockpit door protects the crew from unauthorized entry while also delivering a number of safety contingencies. It features reinforced attachments, a reinforced and bullet proof main door panel, an escape panel, electrical door latching, an electronic entry pad located in the cabin, and a warning light and buzzer in the cockpit. In addition, a toggle control in the cockpit enables the crew to control access to the cockpit and secure the door in case of need.

"Airbus engineers have designed a solution which can be easily introduced into our aircraft, while minimising the burden for our customers and operators," said Airbus Executive Vice-President Customer Services Patrick Gavin.

Conversion kits are offered to customers at a reduced price: US$ 23,000 for the single-aisle kits, and US$ 29,000 for widebodies. All certification and engineering costs have been assumed by Airbus. In addition, downtime for the retrofitting of in-service aircraft has been kept to an absolute minimum so airlines retrofitting the doors to their Airbus single-aisles can do so within 48 hours.

The new cockpit doors are just one of a series of complementary measures being made available by Airbus. These also include a stand alone video camera system allowing the cabin area outside the door to be monitored from the cockpit. The full provisions for this system will be installed as standard on all Airbus aircraft from August. Airbus has also developed two possible solutions to ensure that the transponder signal from the aircraft to air traffic control cannot be interrupted in the event of an attack. And, to further improve communication between crews in the cabin and in the cockpit, Airbus has found a way for crew in each part of the aircraft to alert other crew members should an emergency situation arise.]]>Tue, 21 May 2002 00:00:00 +0100corporate,innovation,customer,francehttp://stagev4.airbus.com/en/presscentre/pressreleases/pressreleases_items/07_01_02_AWIATOR.html
"Airbus is committed to maintaining its leadership in technology and to do so, we continue to invest in research that is of direct benefit to our core business," said Airbus Chief Operating Officer Gustav Humbert. "We rely on an international research network of partners from centres of excellence all over Europe and around the world."

A large variety of technologies will be investigated, down-selected, developed and finally flight-tested on Airbus' flying testbed A340, MSN 001. AWIATOR aims to achieve a five to seven per cent reduction of two EPNdB. The programme will look at new devices to reduce the aircraft wake, new airbrakes, very large wing tip devices, new adaptive elements on the flaps, new devices for flow control, new flight control laws and new low noise operations. All these features will be tested intensively both on the ground and in the air. Such a programme, requiring major modifications to a test aircraft is a first in the history of Airbus research and technology and could set a precedent for similar technology programmes in the future.

Alongside Airbus engineering firms in France, Germany and the United Kingdom, more than twenty industrial partners in Europe and Israel and from European aeronautical research institutes will jointly develop and validate the sophisticated technologies under investigation. They will be supported by a number of European universities, as well as test centres and subcontractors.]]>Mon, 01 Jul 2002 00:00:00 +0100corporate,innovation,uk,germany,francehttp://stagev4.airbus.com/en/presscentre/pressreleases/pressreleases_items/01_09_03_Qantas.htmlThu, 09 Jan 2003 00:00:00 +0100customer,a330a340,event_gen,innovation,asset_man,france,worldwide_otherhttp://stagev4.airbus.com/en/presscentre/pressreleases/pressreleases_items/01_10_03_Malaysia.html
Deliveries to Malaysia Airlines are scheduled to begin in 2007. Current planning will see the airline operate the A380s on key trunk routes. Engine choice is yet to be determined.

With Malaysia Airlines' selection, Airbus has now 103 orders and commitments from 10 customers for the A380 programme. Built to the latest and most stringent certification requirements, the 555-seater A380 embodies the most advanced technologies, providing 15 to 20 per cent lower operating costs than the largest aircraft flying today and 10 to 15 per cent more range.

"This is a major transaction which we believe will bring long term benefits to PMB, Malaysia Airlines and our customers. This purchase meets our requirements for the future and we expect the A380s to become a key part of our fleet," said Dato' Gumuri Hussain, PMB Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.

"With this acquisition, we believe Malaysia Airlines would be even better equipped to sustain and improve on our position as a premier carrier with the latest product offering," said Malaysia Airlines' Managing Director Dato' Md Nor Yusof. “We are very well positioned in the region and combined with the encouraging traffic growth on our flagship long-haul routes, slot constraints in our key destinations and the A380’s expected cost advantages, we believe there is a strong economic rationale for this addition to the fleet, even more so by the time we take delivery in 2007."

Noël Forgeard, Airbus Chief Executive Officer said: "We are indeed delighted that Malaysia Airlines, one of the world's most dynamic carriers, will join the club of renowned airlines having gone the A380 way. I am confident that the aircraft will play a pivotal role in Malaysia Airlines' long-term growth. Furthermore, this decision demonstrates once more that the A380 is the right aircraft with the right economics and passenger appeal, which arrives at the right time to respond to airline needs."

Airbus' presence in Malaysia dates back to 1978 when Malaysia Airlines placed its first order for the A300B4, becoming one of the early Airbus customers. The carrier currently operates nine Airbus A330 aircraft. In October 2002, Airbus reinforced its ties with Malaysia through an agreement with Composites Technology Research Malaysia (CTRM) as a key supplier for A380 wing components, adding to earlier agreements covering composites work for the A300 and A320 family of aircraft.

When it enters into service in 2006, the A380 will offer all the advantages of a completely new design, while retaining maximum commonality with the existing Airbus aircraft family. Passengers will experience a new way of flying in the A380, benefiting from a spacious cabin and wider seats, including those in economy class; while airlines will reap the benefits stemming from Airbus' unique operational commonality inherent in its fly-by-wire family of aircraft, as well as from lower operating costs. A "friendly neighbour," it will quietly ease congestion problems at major airports.

A leading aircraft manufacturer with the most modern and comprehensive product line on the market, Airbus is a global company with design and manufacturing facilities in France, Germany, the UK, and Spain as well as subsidiaries in the U.S., China and Japan. Headquartered in Toulouse, France, Airbus is an EADS joint Company with BAE SYSTEMS. ]]>Fri, 10 Jan 2003 00:00:00 +0100customer,a380,event_gen,miscellaneous,asset_man,france,worldwide_otherhttp://stagev4.airbus.com/en/presscentre/pressreleases/pressreleases_items/01_14_03_2002_Results.html
Airbus obtained 300 new firm orders worth US $24.3 billion in 2002, representing 54 per cent of the market in terms of aircraft units and 54 per cent in terms of value. Firm orders booked in 2002 comprised 235 A320 Family aircraft, 55 long range A330/A340s and 10 A380s.

Airbus delivered 303 aircraft, exceeding an annual delivery rate of 300 aircraft for the third consecutive year and generating an estimated turnover of €19.5 billion. These deliveries, comprising 236 single-aisles and 67 widebody and long range airliners, correspond to 44 per cent of the industry total, up six percentage points from 2001.

Airbus' year-end total orders stood at 4,632 orders, which takes into account 67 cancellations in 2002. Airbus' 2002 net order intake therefore stands at 233 aircraft worth US $18.4 billion – representing 57 per cent of the market in terms of aircraft units and 54 per cent in value.

With cumulative deliveries at year-end totalling 3,127 aircraft, Airbus' order backlog of 1,505 stands well ahead of the competition's for the third consecutive year and corresponds to 57 per cent of all large commercial aircraft on order which are yet to be delivered – up 2.6 percentage points from 2001. This solid backlog represents over five years of production at current rates.

2002 was a period of intense activity for Airbus. For the second time in its history the company conducted three certification campaigns concurrently, resulting in entry into commercial service of the new high-capacity A340-600, certification of its ultra-long range sibling the A340-500 and the passing of key certification milestones scheduled for the A318. Meanwhile, work on the A380 proceeded according to plan, with manufacturing now underway at all Airbus sites around Europe.

Airbus President and Chief Executive Noël Forgeard, presenting Airbus' 2002 results in Paris today, stressed that prudence and reactivity would continue to be key in the coming year. "On the one hand we will no doubt face many challenges, but on the other hand we look to the future with confidence, gained from the proven value of our products, the winning spirit of our people and our ability to have overcome hurdles in 2002," he said. "2003 promises to be an important turning point in Airbus' development."

Headquartered in Toulouse, France, Airbus is an EADS joint Company with BAE SYSTEMS.]]>Tue, 14 Jan 2003 00:00:00 +0100corporate,product_gen,event_gen,general,asset_man,france,worldwide_otherhttp://stagev4.airbus.com/en/presscentre/pressreleases/pressreleases_items/01_17_03_Recruitment.html
The Turin forum was part of a four-month roadshow organised by Airbus, together with the PEGASUS network, during which 15 leading universities in France, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, the UK and Italy, were visited. With its international recruiting strategy, Airbus is keen to attract the best graduates and motivate them for an international career.

"We have been very impressed with the quality of the people we met here in Turin, both on an academic and a human level, and are quite confident that concrete results will follow," says Karin Tegtmeier, Airbus Senior Manager Employment Marketing & Recruiting. "We are determined to further our partnership with Italian academic institutions and to strengthen their international orientation in order to provide graduates with a sound background for career opportunities in the aerospace sector. Already, 20 per cent of European aerospace engineers come from Italian universities, making it the second largest provider of aerospace engineers in Europe and highlighting the quality of Italian academics, students and courses."

The Pegasus network universities have all agreed on joint quality standards and those students who have achieved the "Pegasus Award" have completed five years study, spent upwards of five months of this time in another country and can work in at least two European languages. In addition, Airbus works with the universities to ensure that graduates also develop interdisciplinary project work, project management and inter-cultural open-mindedness. By supporting this network, Airbus hopes to ensure that each individual will bring much more than "just" a high level of technical expertise.

To enhance the international and industrial orientation, Airbus and PEGASUS have set up an internationaI internship programme. This programme is already providing up to 40 places for PEGASUS students across all Airbus sites, and will run alongside existing internship programmes at site level.

If Airbus has been able to accomplish so much just over 30 years of existence, it is largely thanks to the commitment and creativity of thousands of Airbus employees around the world, who together design, build, sell and support the most modern and comprehensive product line on the market. Airbus, which has the largest backlog in the civil aircraft industry, currently ranks high in the list of preferred employers in Europe.

Largely because of A380 development and manufacturing, Airbus will continue significant hiring in 2003, looking for some 1,500 people across its European sites with most opportunities arising in structure, systems, flight physics, cabin and manufacturing engineers. Applications are best handled online: www.airbus-careers.com.

Headquartered in Toulouse, France, Airbus is a truly global enterprise of some 46,000 employees, with fully-fledged subsidiaries in the United States, China and Japan, spare parts centres in Hamburg, Frankfurt, Washington, Beijing and Singapore, training centres in Toulouse, Miami, and Beijing, and 120 field service offices around the world. Airbus also relies on industrial co-operation and partnerships with major companies all over the worlds, and a supplier network of some 1,500 suppliers in 30 countries. In Italy, Alenia is a participant in the Airbus A321, A340-500/-600 and A380 programmes.

Airbus is an EADS joint Company with BAE SYSTEMS.]]>Fri, 17 Jan 2003 00:00:00 +0100corporate,product_gen,event,people,services_gen,france,careershttp://stagev4.airbus.com/en/presscentre/pressreleases/pressreleases_items/01_21_03_Northwest.html
Northwest will receive its first A330-300 this summer with the remainder due over the next five years, while the first A330-200 is to be delivered in early summer 2004. Both versions of the Northwest A330s are to be powered by Pratt & Whitney PW4000 series engines.

With both the A330-300 and its smaller but longer range A330-200 stable-mate in its fleet, Northwest has the flexibility to better match future capacity requirements. In the Northwest configuration, the A330-300 will seat 300 passengers, while the -200 will accommodate 250.

Airbus is an EADS joint Company with BAE SYSTEMS.]]>Tue, 21 Jan 2003 00:00:00 +0100customer,a330a340,event_gen,miscellaneous,asset_man,france,worldwide_otherhttp://stagev4.airbus.com/en/presscentre/pressreleases/pressreleases_items/01_04_03_Cyprus_Airways.html
Cyprus Airways has chosen a spacious layout, seating 30 passengers in Business and 265 in Economy. Each class is furnished to provide outstanding passenger comfort with individual in flight-entertainment devices throughout the cabin. In addition, the A330-200's capacious cargo holds are ideally suited to the expansion and growth of the lucrative Cyprus-UK freight market.

Powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines, Cyprus Airways' A330-200, which will be joined by a second aircraft in Spring 2003, also has the potential to profitably serve more distant destinations thanks to the long range of the aircraft and its impressive versatility. Both aircraft are being leased from International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC).

The Airbus A330/A340 Family is the most successful in its category, with some 740 orders from more than 60 customers, and a route network that criss-crosses the globe with short, medium and long-haul routes.

Cyprus Airways, an all-Airbus operator for over ten years and an A320 launch customer, operates ten Airbus single-aisle aircraft including two A319s and eight A320s on its network in Europe and the Middle East. It will benefit from the unique Airbus commonality philosophy, in which all members of the Airbus fly-by-wire family share near-identical flight decks, systems and handling characteristics, allowing pilots to fly any model with only minor additional training.

A leading aircraft manufacturer with the most modern and comprehensive product line on the market, Airbus is a global company with design and manufacturing facilities in France, Germany, the UK, and Spain as well as subsidiaries in the US., China and Japan. Headquartered in Toulouse, France, Airbus is an EADS joint Company with BAE SYSTEMS.]]>Fri, 24 Jan 2003 00:00:00 +0100customer,a330a340,event_gen,miscellaneous,asset_man,france,worldwide_otherhttp://stagev4.airbus.com/en/presscentre/pressreleases/pressreleases_items/01_24_03_South_African_Airways.html
When it puts the A340-600 into service later this month, SAA will become the first airline in the southern Hemisphere and in Africa to operate the ultra-long range, high capacity aircraft. SAA will operate the A340-600s on routes from Johannesburg to Frankfurt and Hong-Kong.

The largest member of Airbus' market leading A330/A340 Family, the A340-600 provides operators with unrivalled standards of space, comfort and amenity in each cabin class. SAA has chosen a very spacious layout, seating 48 passengers in a luxurious Premium Business Class and 291 in Economy.

"The arrival of the first A340-600 marks a new step in our partnership with Airbus and Rolls-Royce and enables us to further benefit from the Airbus aircraft's operational commonality," said SAA CEO, André Viljoen. "The introduction of the A340-600 will enable us to open up new long-haul trans-Oceanic routes while offering our passengers the highest levels of comfort. For SAA, four engines is the best solution for ultra-long haul flights, especially if they involve flights over desolate terrain or oceans. At the same time, the additional cargo deck space on the A340-600 means we can almost double our cargo uplift compared with what is possible on the 747s."

"The fact that a visionary and prestigious airline like South African Airways amongst the first airlines in the world to operate the A340-600, once again endorses the success of the A340-500/-600 programme and illustrates the benefits which can be achieved through the application of proven modern technology and commonality in aircraft design and operations," said Airbus Chief Executive Officer Noël Forgeard.

Powered by four Rolls-Royce Trent 500 engines, the A340-600 offers total freedom of flight, unrestricted by ETOPS regulations. This allows airlines to fly more direct routes, saving travel time, cutting fuel consumption and reducing costs.

SAA has also ordered the smaller A340-300Enhanced, becoming the launch customer for this new type of which it will receive six commencing in 2004. It has also placed orders for 15 single-aisle A319 and 11 A320 twin-engined aircraft for use on mainline domestic and regional routes within Africa. These will be delivered between 2005 and 2010.

This entirely new fleet will enable SAA to fully exploit the unique common design concept pioneered by Airbus. Sharing the same cockpit layout, operational procedures and handling characteristics, the aircraft can be operated by SAA as a single fleet, with pilots qualified to fly all of four types on a regular basis after only a few days difference training.

A leading aircraft manufacturer with the most modern and comprehensive product line on the market, Airbus is a global company with design and manufacturing facilities in France, Germany, the UK, and Spain as well as subsidiaries in the U.S., China and Japan. Headquartered in Toulouse, France, Airbus is an EADS joint Company with BAE SYSTEMS. ]]>Fri, 24 Jan 2003 00:00:00 +0100customer,a330a340,event_gen,miscellaneous,asset_man,francehttp://stagev4.airbus.com/en/presscentre/pressreleases/pressreleases_items/01_24_03_quality_certification.html
The EN9100:2000 certification is proof of an outstanding level of quality management at Airbus, and serves as assurance of quality towards customers. In many cases, customers accept the independently awarded EN9100:2000 certification as a guarantee of quality, instead of carrying out individual audits.

For Airbus Spares Support and Services a certificated quality management system is a necessary prerequisite for providing adequate services and aerospace products in line with safety requirements, as well as according to the customers' needs and expectations.

Based in Hamburg, Airbus Spares Support and Services is the first company in Germany to be awarded the EN9100:2000 certification. In addition to the Hamburg centre, the certificate also covers the Airbus Spares Centre in Ashburn VA, USA and the Airbus Support Center in Beijing, P.R.C. Airbus also operates satellite stores in Frankfurt, Germany and Singapore.

Airbus Customer Services covers all areas of support and is dedicated to helping airlines get the most out of their Airbus aircraft. Over the years, Airbus has developed an innovative and flexible approach to service, in partnership with its customers and suppliers. Today it provides the most competent front line support available and an ever-increasing range of customised support services that help airlines increase safety, achieve their goals and enhance the profitability of their fleets.

Airbus is an EADS joint Company with BAE SYSTEMS.]]>Fri, 24 Jan 2003 00:00:00 +0100corporate,product_gen,event_gen,miscellaneous,customer,germany,worldwide_otherhttp://stagev4.airbus.com/en/presscentre/pressreleases/pressreleases_items/01_31_03_Wales.html
These three new developments are constructed within the original East Factory site at Broughton and represent a £73 million investment, providing additional floor area in the factory equivalent to five football pitches.

A new 22,000 m2 building, the Stringer Manufacturing Centre, is producing bottom skin "stringers" (longitudinal stiffeners) for wing panels on both the A380 and current Airbus models. A new 12,000m2 A380 Skin Manufacturing Centre – comprising two extensions to the existing Treatments Facility - is producing 18 of the 20 different aluminium alloy panels which will form the external surfaces or "skins" of the wings for the new A380.

At the opening this morning the First Minister said: "In addition to the 5,000 plus employees here at Broughton, Airbus supports many jobs in the 150 or more Welsh supplier companies and its importance to the Welsh economy cannot be under-estimated."

"The A380 is due to take to the skies in 2005, everyone in Wales send their very best wishes to the project now and for many decades to come."

Brian Fleet, Senior Vice President, Manufacturing for Airbus UK said: "This is an important day and great step forward for A380 manufacturing at Broughton. These new state of the art developments are not only bringing new jobs, skills, capacity and capability on the A380 but are also providing greater efficiency and cost benefits for some existing processes too. For example, a current model "bottom stringer" used to travel 12 kms during this manufacturing process – now it only travels through this building; the complete process used to take 12 weeks to complete and now we expect to carry it out in only four weeks once steady state operations have been achieved."

He continued: "I would like to thank the First Minister for being here today and to thank all those who are supporting our work as we build for the future here in Wales - including of course, the National Assembly of Wales, the Department of Trade and Industry, Flintshire County Council, the Welsh Development Agency, ELWa (Education and Learning Wales), our suppliers, neighbours and of course our workforce."

The dedicated Stringer Manufacturing Centre – the building in which the opening ceremony was held and which the First Minister toured - brings the benefits of close-coupled manufacturing. As well as ultimately reducing cycle times for the process; less inventory is needed resulting in associated cost savings; and a new collation area will increase efficiency by allowing complex sets of stringers to be collated in webbing straps and delivered for assembly pre-prepared for attaching straight to the milled wing skins. There are 100 different bottom stringers on an A380 wing (200 per aircraft) and some stringers will be up to 22m long.

Within the A380 Skin Manufacturing Centre, the new extension for Skin Machining houses state- of-the-art floor-level 40m long milling machines with advanced swarf extraction; providing both a safe and efficient working environment and ensuring efficient recycling of swarf.

The other Skin Manufacturing extension - for A380 Creep Forming - houses a specialist heating or “baking” process to add curvature to the top panels and subsequently to the wing surface. One of the key features is an autoclave (pressurised oven) which at 42m long, nearly six metres in diameter and weighing 300 tonnes is believed to be one of the largest in the world.

Manufacturing on A380 has begun at all Airbus sites around Europe. At Broughton first production metal was cut on 12 December 2002. Orders and commitments for the A380 – both in the initial 555 seat and the freighter version now total 103 aircraft for 10 customers with first aircraft deliveries due in 2006.

A leading aircraft manufacturer with the most modern and comprehensive product line on the market, Airbus is a global company with design and manufacturing facilities in France, Germany, the UK, and Spain as well as subsidiaries in the U.S., China and Japan. Headquartered in Toulouse, France, Airbus is an EADS joint Company with BAE SYSTEMS.]]>Fri, 31 Jan 2003 00:00:00 +0100corporate,a380,event_gen,general,asset_man,uk,worldwide_otherhttp://stagev4.airbus.com/en/presscentre/pressreleases/pressreleases_items/01_31_03_Iberia.html
With this decision, Iberia becomes the 12th customer to select an aircraft from the new long-range A340-500/-600 Family, of which now a total of 81 have been committed to (72 firm orders plus nine committed to by Iberia), representing a 57 percent market share vs. its direct competitor, the 777-200LR/-300ER long-range family (of which 61 aircraft have been ordered by seven customers, according to the latest information available on the Boeing website).

Many independent surveys of business flyers have confirmed that the vast majority placed significant importance on their comfort during long-range flights and preferred four-engined aircraft for those journeys, with the majority of respondents preferring the A340 configuration over the 777 by a significant factor.

The A340-500/-600 are market leaders in their class, both in terms of aircraft sold and customers. Recent sales to SAA and Iberia confirm the market need for genuine long-range capability and reaffirm the importance of being able to operate efficiently with four-engined aircraft from hot and from high altitude airports.

The long-range credentials of the A340-600 have already been confirmed with the introduction of non-stop Los Angeles-Hong Kong services by Cathay Pacific. 2003 will also mark the inauguration of new ultra-long-range services by the A340-500 with Air Canada, Emirates and Singapore Airlines.

With greater revenue-generating capability and operating costs lower than those of the 747 or 777, with passenger-pleasing seating in an all-new cabin interior and outstandingly low noise levels, the A340-500/-600 Family is setting standards in long-haul air travel.

A leading manufacturer with the most modern and comprehensive product line on the market, Airbus is a global company with design and manufacturing facilities in France, Germany, the UK, and Spain, as well as subsidiaries in the U.S., China, and Japan. Headquartered in Toulouse, France, Airbus is an EADS Company with BAE SYSYEMS.]]>Fri, 31 Jan 2003 00:00:00 +0100customer,a330a340,event_gen,miscellaneous,asset_man,spain,worldwide_otherhttp://stagev4.airbus.com/en/presscentre/pressreleases/pressreleases_items/02_03_03_Air_Tahiti.html
The aircraft will join the A340s already in service with Air Tahiti Nui on flights to Japan and the US West coast, as well as on one-stop flights to Europe and regional routes to New Zealand.

"We fly mainly long-haul routes from our base in the middle of the Pacific, and the tremendous flexibility and reliability of the four-engined A340, together with its excellent economy on shorter routes, make it by far the best aircraft for our services," says Air Tahiti Nui Chairman & CEO Nelson Levy.

Air Tahiti Nui first became an Airbus operator in 1998, when it began flying a leased A340-200 on services to Japan and the US West coast. It has since added two A340-300s – one leased and one purchased – allowing it to increase frequencies on existing routes, as well as to introduce service to Paris via Los Angeles.

Following the delivery of its two new aircraft, the A340-200 will be returned to its lessor, leaving Air Tahiti Nui with a standardised fleet of four A340-300s – three owned and one leased - each powered by CFM International CFM56-5C4s.

"Tahiti's main income is from tourism. The expansion of its fleet is crucial to managing and growing its economy, so we are delighted that Air Tahiti Nui has chosen our aircraft for this important role," says Airbus President & CEO Noël Forgeard.

The A330/A340 family are the most modern aircraft in the 250-375 seat class, consistently winning independent passenger surveys. The market-leaders for more than a decade, they have the most orders and customers to their credit.

Customers for the modern A330/A340 family benefit from their unmatched passenger appeal, economy and flexibility on demanding routes, as well as from valuable savings in operation through commonality.

Air Tahiti Nui is the long-haul international airline of French Polynesia, with the "Nui" part of its name meaning "great."

Airbus is an EADS joint Company with BAE SYSTEMS.]]>Mon, 03 Feb 2003 00:00:00 +0100customer,a330a340,event_gen,miscellaneous,asset_man,france,worldwide_otherhttp://stagev4.airbus.com/en/presscentre/pressreleases/pressreleases_items/02_11_03_JetBlue.html
"As the tenth largest A320 operator in the world as measured by weekly departures, we're very excited to add an additional two Airbus aircraft to our fleet this year," said David Neeleman, CEO of JetBlue Airways. "At a time when many in our industry are reducing capacity, we continue to see strong demand from our loyal customer base. These additional aircraft will help us to meet that demand by bringing high quality service and low fares to more Customers around the country."

"JetBlue’s success in this challenging period for the industry is a testament to the airline's people, service and its choice of aircraft," said Noël Forgeard, Airbus President and Chief Executive Officer. "We are pleased that JetBlue continues to show confidence in the reliability and economy of the A320 Family, a confidence demonstrated by this newest order."

The Airbus A320 Family includes the 107-seat A318, the 124-seat A319, the 150-seat A320 and the 185-seat A321. Each of these two-engine aircraft features the widest fuselage of any single-aisle aircraft in the world, offering passengers more room to relax and crew members more room to maneuver through the cabin. In addition, the A320 Family features the most economical and environmentally responsible aircraft in their class, offering the lowest fuel burn, emissions and noise footprints in their size category.

A leading aircraft manufacturer with the most modern and comprehensive product line on the market, Airbus is a global company with design and manufacturing facilities in France, Germany, the UK, and Spain as well as subsidiaries in the United States, China and Japan. Headquartered in Toulouse, France, Airbus is an EADS joint Company with BAE SYSTEMS.]]>Tue, 11 Feb 2003 00:00:00 +0100customer,a320,event_gen,miscellaneous,asset_man,france,worldwide_otherhttp://stagev4.airbus.com/en/presscentre/pressreleases/pressreleases_items/02_17_03_Middle_East_Airlines.html
Middle East Airlines already operates a leased Airbus fleet from the early '90s, which the new aircraft will progressively replace. MEA will also integrate three new leased long-range widebody twin A330-200s, due for delivery this year, as part of its fleet modernisation plan.

The Beirut-based Lebanese flag carrier will operate its new A321 fleet on non-stop routes to the Gulf and Europe, as well as within the Middle East region.

Middle East Airlines' A321s feature a luxurious seating for 31 passengers in business class and 118 in economy, with personal television screens for everyone. MEA's A321s are powered by V2533 engines from International Aero Engines (IAE), featuring a quietness that meets tough new stage 4 noise standards.

"Middle East Airlines current healthy financial situation and fleet modernization are the results of collective and combined efforts from the airline's management and staff, as well as Lebanon's Central Bank and Government's Transport Ministry" said His Excellency Lebanese Minister of Transport Najib Mikati.

Middle East Airlines Chairman Director General Mohamed El Hout also added: "Our main objective is to offer the most luxurious product to our passengers. The last part of our successful re-structuring plan was fleet modernisation, and Airbus was a winning choice. The A321 offers an optimized comfort for passengers as well as the lowest operating cost, emissions and noise footprints in it's size category. It was a natural choice for MEA."

"We are very proud to be part of Middle East Airlines' future, to which this all new Airbus fleet should profitably contribute" said Airbus President Noël Forgeard.

Designed to optimise passenger comfort and maximise cost savings, the A318, A319, A320 and A321 form the world's most profitable and best-selling single aisle-aircraft Family. The Family is in widespread service around the world with some 120 customers and operators, including several airlines within the Middle East.

A leading aircraft manufacturer with the most modern and comprehensive product line on the market, Airbus is a global company with design and manufacturing facilities in France, Germany, the UK, and Spain as well as subsidiaries in the U.S., China and Japan. Headquartered in Toulouse, France, Airbus is an EADS joint Company with BAE SYSTEMS.]]>Mon, 17 Feb 2003 00:00:00 +0100customer,a320,event_gen,miscellaneous,asset_man,france,worldwide_otherhttp://stagev4.airbus.com/en/presscentre/pressreleases/pressreleases_items/02_18_03_AirPacific.html
Air Pacific will initially use the A330s on routes to Australia, Japan and New Zealand, introducing new standards of widebody comfort and, as its fleet grows, other destinations will be upgraded.

Each of Air Pacific's A330s will seat 24 passengers in business class and 292 in economy, with the latest standards of in-flight entertainment throughout. Engines have yet to be selected.

"We chose the Airbus A330 because it was the best aircraft for our routes in terms of economics, passenger appeal and capability," says Air Pacific Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer John Campbell. "The widespread use of, and support for, the Airbus A330/A340 family in the Pacific was also important."

The A330-300 offers an optimised cabin layout providing passengers with ample space, where space really matters. Airbus' A330/A340 Family sets the standard for today's passenger comfort, avoiding middle?seats in business class and ensuring that all economy class passengers are no farther than one seat away from an aisle.

"As Fiji’s national airline, Air Pacific has a proud heritage and history stretching back over fifty years," says Airbus President and Chief Executive Officer Noël Forgeard. "The airline is a major contributor to Fiji's economy, as well as its flourishing tourist industry, so we are naturally delighted to be part of Air Pacific's future with the Airbus A330."

Air Pacific is in good company with its choice of the A330/A340 family, since most of the major "flag carriers" in the region – such as Aircalin, Air Tahiti Nui and Qantas – are already flying them. Air New Zealand will also become an Airbus operator when it gets its first A320s later this year.

The A330?300’s flexibility and efficiency results from its state-of-the-art technology, optimised wing design and the lowest fuel burn in its class. Together with low noise and emission levels, these features also contribute to environmentally-friendly operations.

Air Pacific's selection of the A330 further reinforces the remarkable success of the A330/A340 Family as the preferred medium to long?range aircraft among airlines worldwide. The A330/A340 Family has booked some 750 total orders from more than 60 customers to date. It has the most popular cabin in its class, consistently leading in independent passenger surveys.

Airbus is an EADS joint Company with BAE SYSTEMS.]]>Tue, 18 Feb 2003 00:00:00 +0100customer,a330a340,event_gen,miscellaneous,asset_man,france,worldwide_otherhttp://stagev4.airbus.com/en/presscentre/pressreleases/pressreleases_items/02_19_03_Japanese_technology.html
Airbus President and CEO Noel Forgeard said, "It is an important step in our collaboration with Japan. We are moving from the obvious work in aero-structures level to a strong contribution in state-of-the-art technology. The support of Yokogawa, Casio, and Makino to the A380 programme will surely enhance the success of the most advanced airliner programme currently under development and launched in production."

In addition to the ten Japanese suppliers which were already announced in 2002, these contracts will raise the estimated revenue of Japan in the A380 programme to well over US $2.15 billion in the years to come.

The contribution of new suppliers is as follows:

Yokogawa Electric Corporation is to supply the display modules for the A380 cockpit system. Production will be completed at Yokogawa’s main plant in Musashino (Mitaka, Tokyo) and the first article is to be delivered in June 2003. Yokogawa already supplies display units for the A340-600.

Casio Computers Co. Ltd. is the supplier of the 6"x8" TFT liquid crystal panels to Yokogawa Electric. Manufacturing and assembly of the displays will be at Casio’s plant in Kochi (Shikoku island), with delivery in May 2003. Casio is also working on the A340-600 program.

Makino Milling Machines Co. Ltd. is the supplier of High Performance Machining Centers to be used in the production of precision parts for the A380 wing. The centers are produced at Makino’s Atsugi plant (Kanagawa Prefecture) and the first machines have been already installed at Airbus plant in Filton (United Kingdom). This is the first contract of Makino with Airbus within the framework of the Key Supplier Agreement signed in 2002.

To date, ten customers have announced firm orders and commitments for a total of 103 A380s. The 555-seater A380 will enter into service in early 2006.

A leading aircraft manufacturer with the most modern and comprehensive product line on the market, Airbus is a global company with design and manufacturing facilities in France, Germany, the UK, and Spain as well as subsidiaries in the U.S., China and Japan. Headquartered in Toulouse, France, Airbus is an EADS joint Company with BAE SYSTEMS.]]>Wed, 19 Feb 2003 00:00:00 +0100corporate,a380,event_gen,innovation,procurement,japan,worldwide_otherhttp://stagev4.airbus.com/en/presscentre/pressreleases/pressreleases_items/02_24_03_Tenzing.html
"Passengers will pay even less for in-flight e-mail access because of this key communication system enhancement," said Alan McGinnis, Chief Executive Officer of Tenzing. "It also will enable us to offer premium services such as live web browsing, VPN support and access to corporate networks."

The system combines hardware and software from Airbus, Rockwell Collins, and Tenzing. It uses an aircraft's existing high-gain SATCOM antenna and available worldwide coverage, making it affordable for airlines to deliver both e-mail and live Internet services to passengers. More than 1800 aircraft worldwide are installed with this type of SATCOM antenna. The solution is designed to support short, affordable retrofits, making it possible for airlines to equip their entire fleet in mere months. It can also be upgraded to new generations of the high-speed data link with minimal impact.

"Rockwell Collins supports the emergence of connectivity in the global air transport market," said Jan Timmers, Rockwell Collins managing director of Airbus. "This is a great step forward in providing e-mail and Internet services onboard aircraft." "The AFIS system with Rockwell Collins high speed data solution and Tenzing passenger messaging service uses the existing L-band SATCOM infrastructure, which means it is inexpensive to install, provides a low cost option for end users and has global coverage today," said Olivier Andries, Senior VP Products and Services Policy of Airbus.

The A318 aircraft used for the demonstration is equipped with the Airbus in-Flight Information System (AFIS) hosting Tenzing’s email software connected to the ground network. Connectivity was provided using the INMARSAT Swift64 service to transmit messages at 64 kbps over Rockwell Collins' SAT-906 SATCOM system and HST-900 high-speed data transceiver. Several major airlines have expressed interest in the system, which is now available for installation.

In addition to passenger applications, the AFIS system will host applications targeting the airlines' operational needs, which will take advantage of the high speed Swift64 data connection to the ground.

About Airbus

A leading aircraft manufacturer with the most modern and comprehensive product line on the market, Airbus is a global company with design and manufacturing facilities in France, Germany, the UK, and Spain as well as subsidiaries in the U.S., China and Japan. Headquartered in Toulouse, France, Airbus is an EADS joint Company with BAE SYSTEMS.

About Rockwell Collins

Rockwell Collins (NYSE: COL) is a leader in the design, production and support of communications and aviation electronics solutions for government and commercial customers worldwide. Additional information is available at www.rockwellcollins.com.

About Tenzing

Tenzing Communications, Inc. is the market leader for installed airline email and messaging solutions allowing travelers to use their laptops or seatback video screens to stay connected. The company has been providing the Tenzingâ System to passengers with laptops on Cathay Pacific Airways since April 2002, which now has 40 aircraft equipped with the service. Tenzing is also providing short message service (SMS) to cell phones and email accounts via seatback video screens on Virgin Atlantic Airways. The company is currently negotiating with several other U.S. and international carriers. Major investors include Airbus and Rockwell Collins.]]>Mon, 24 Feb 2003 00:00:00 +0100corporate,product_gen,event_gen,innovation,technical_sup,france,worldwide_otherhttp://stagev4.airbus.com/en/presscentre/pressreleases/pressreleases_items/03_04_03_US_Airways.html
1. The amount of $44.5 million mentioned in the press reports corresponds to total payments due by the airline on March 3 to all the financiers of 23 Airbus single aisle aircraft. This financing was arranged on the US bond market (EETC).

2. Airbus share of the financing is limited to 15% of the total amount.

3. These payments are to be recovered as part of the reorganisation of the airline, currently under chapter 11 proceedings.

4. As a result, Airbus does not envisage to change its assessment of its financing exposure to US Airways.

Airbus is an EADS joint Company with BAE SYSTEMS. ]]>Tue, 04 Mar 2003 00:00:00 +0100customer,product_gen,event_gen,miscellaneous,asset_man,france,worldwide_otherhttp://stagev4.airbus.com/en/presscentre/pressreleases/pressreleases_items/03_12_03_email.html
Cathay Pacific Airways, in partnership with Hong Kong Internet service provider PCCW NETVIGATOR, began offering the service this week on more than half of its fleet, including 28 Airbus aircraft.

This is the first time that email access has been introduced on such large numbers of airliners in scheduled service, as well as the first time that it has been deployed on aircraft to a wide range of long-haul destinations. Cathay Pacific plans to offer the service on its entire fleet by year-end. Its passenger fleet of 68 aircraft includes almost 40 Airbus A330s, A340-300s and A340-600s.

The widespread introduction on Airbus aircraft of Tenzing's email solution highlights the simple, affordable, and globally available nature of its product, which is the first, and so far only one, to be deployed in commercial service.

Airbus' partnership with Tenzing allows airlines to introduce email and related services with minimal investment, as well as to grow their customer-base and add new services in an evolutionary way - in response to market demand. It is the only service offering this, because it uses the satellite communications equipment already fitted to most long-haul airliners, plus the existing worldwide service provided by Inmarsat satellites.

In addition to offering Tenzing as today's preferred solution, Airbus continues to work with its partners to evolve a broadband solution, in a step-by-step way. This approach allows airlines to progressively grow their customer base to the point where it can support the higher cost of offering broadband service.

The Tenzing solution also allows airlines to maintain control of their customer-base, and is unique in offering "intelligent mail management," in which passengers pay only for the messages that they choose to read or send.

Cathay Pacific is initially providing the email service to passengers in first, business and the front rows of economy class. Access will be free until June, when passengers will begin paying a modest charge of $9.95 to read the headers of their emails throughout the flight, plus a further 60 cents for each kilobyte that they read or send (equivalent to about a page of text). Special rates will be available to @netvigator.com account holders.

Passengers access their emails on their own laptop computers aboard the aircraft, using Tenzing software. The connection to the General Dynamics server that sends and receives the emails is via the aircraft's existing in-flight entertainment system.

Tenzing has also developed a means for passengers to send SMS telephone messages while in flight, and this has been in service aboard other Airbus aircraft since August 2002.

Airbus is an EADS joint Company with BAE SYSTEMS.]]>Wed, 12 Mar 2003 00:00:00 +0100corporate,a330a340,event_gen,innovation,flight_op,france,worldwide_otherhttp://stagev4.airbus.com/en/presscentre/pressreleases/pressreleases_items/03_13_03_JetBlue.html
JetBlue pilots will train on Airbus A320 full flight simulators (FFS) in the Airbus Training Centre in Miami, Florida, which is part of the Airbus-CAE training network. The value of the three-year agreement is approximately C$16 million (US$11 million).

"This agreement is a perfect example of integrated training solutions and how CAE's cooperation with Airbus benefits our customers. We are offering flexible and customized training services, as well as continuing to supply industry-leading equipment," said Gary Scott, Group President, Civil Simulation & Training, CAE. "We are very pleased to expand our relationship with JetBlue, and wish them great success and continued growth."

"We're designing new CAE Simfinity™ FTDs for JetBlue's Airbus A320 initial pilot training. The devices use the same high fidelity software as CAE’s full flight simulators, combined with cost-effective hardware. This new and innovative approach is designed to meet today’s rigorous training demands," added Scott. Flight training devices are realistic replicas of actual cockpit instrumentation used to help pilots master the basic elements of operating an aircraft, prior to developing advanced skills on a full flight simulator. The total value of the training equipment is C$12 million (US$8 million) at list prices.

Based at New York City's John F. Kennedy International airport, JetBlue is one of the most successful low-fare airlines in the United States. The airline, which currently employs 570 pilots and has ongoing pilot training needs, flies a fleet of 40 Airbus A320 aircraft and is scheduled to place into service another 12 A320s by the end of 2003.

"The Airbus-CAE integrated training solutions provide flexibility to help us meet JetBlue's operational growth," said Mike Barger, director of training for JetBlue. "Their products and services will help us achieve new training and safety standards as we grow."

"We are very proud that JetBlue has chosen to fly exclusively on Airbus A320s. Our goal is to ensure that every new Airbus aircraft goes into service safely and efficiently," said Jean-Michel Roy, Vice President Training and Flight Operations, Airbus, "Our integrated training solutions will support JetBlue’s objective of developing one of the foremost all-Airbus fleets in America."

Airbus Customer Services covers all areas of support and is dedicated to helping airlines get the most out of their Airbus aircraft. Over the years, Airbus has developed an innovative and flexible approach to service, in partnership with its customers and suppliers.

CAE is a global leader in providing advanced simulation and controls equipment and integrated training solutions for customers in the civil aviation, military and marine markets. With annual revenues in excess of $1 billion, CAE employs more than 6,000 people in Canada, the United States and around the globe.

Airbus is an EADS joint Company with BAE SYSTEMS. ]]>Thu, 13 Mar 2003 00:00:00 +0100customer,product_gen,event_gen,miscellaneous,training,worldwide_gen,worldwide_otherhttp://stagev4.airbus.com/en/presscentre/pressreleases/pressreleases_items/03_17_03_Statement.htmlMon, 17 Mar 2003 00:00:00 +0100corporate,product_gen,event_gen,people,services_gen,france,worldwide_otherhttp://stagev4.airbus.com/en/presscentre/pressreleases/pressreleases_items/03_18_03_Indonesia.html
"This award recognises the outstanding in-service operational reliability of Garuda Indonesia's A330 fleet, which achieved an impressive 99.02 per cent level in 2002" said John Grother, Airbus Vice-President, A330/A340 Programs, at the ceremony to mark the achievement.

Airbus' involvement with Indonesia dates back to February 1979, when Garuda Indonesia placed an order for nine A300s, the world's first widebody twin-engine airliner. As part of Airbus' philosophy of working closely with its customers on the refinement and development of its products, Garuda Indonesia was one of the major influences behind the development of the "forward-facing" two man cockpit. With the delivery of its first A300-B4 in 1982, Garuda Indonesia subsequently became the first airline in the world to operate a two man crew widebody aircraft.

A leading aircraft manufacturer with the most modern and comprehensive product line on the market, Airbus is a global company with design and manufacturing facilities in France, Germany, the UK, and Spain as well as subsidiaries in the U.S., China and Japan. Headquartered in Toulouse, France, Airbus is a joint EADS Company with BAE SYSTEMS.]]>Tue, 18 Mar 2003 00:00:00 +0100corporate,a300a310,event_gen,general,technical_sup,worldwide_gen,worldwide_otherhttp://stagev4.airbus.com/en/presscentre/pressreleases/pressreleases_items/03_19_03_PrivatAir.html
PrivatAir will take delivery of the first of two new A319LRs in May, when it will begin nonstop business-class only flights from Dusseldorf to Newark (New York). The second A319LR will be delivered in June, when it will start nonstop flights from Dusseldorf to Chicago. Both are new aircraft being leased by PrivatAir from CIT Aerospace.

"With over 25 years of experience in the business, we know what to look for in a business jet, and the A319LR is going to be a tremendous aircraft for the Lufthansa business travellers that we will be flying," says PrivatAir CEO Greg Thomas. "Premium passengers want the best in comfort and service, and the A319LR is going to play a key role in helping us to deliver exactly that."

Each A319LR will seat 48 passengers in a generous four-abreast business class at 60 in-pitch, allowing PrivatAir to offer an exclusive premium service, and each will be powered by IAE V2500 engines.

"When you have a modern and flexible aircraft family, there are always new opportunities opening up, as PrivatAir is showing with the A319LR," says Airbus President and CEO Noël Forgeard. "And when the companies pursuing them are as well respected in their fields as PrivatAir and Lufthansa, you know that they are going to be successful."

Derived from the popular A319 airliner, the A319LR has a number of Airbus Corporate Jetliner (ACJ) features, such as up to four additional centre tanks in its cargo hold, for intercontinental range.

With both European JAA and American FAA approval, the A319LR and ACJ are the only business jets certificated for public transport on both sides of the Atlantic.

Airbus' A320 family features the most modern design plus the most spacious cabin of any aircraft in its class, delivering unmatched passenger comfort and unparalleled economy and reliability. Already a firm favourite with bizjet customers via the ACJ - as well as with airlines - the A320 family consistently leads in independent passenger surveys, and is widely recognised as the benchmark in its field.

Airbus is an EADS joint Company with BAE SYSTEMS.]]>Wed, 19 Mar 2003 00:00:00 +0100customer,a320,event_gen,miscellaneous,asset_man,germany,worldwide_otherhttp://stagev4.airbus.com/en/presscentre/pressreleases/pressreleases_items/03_25_03_Aircalin.html
Aircalin's A320 will seat 8 passengers in business class, and 138 in economy. At the same time, the company confirms it has selected International Aero Engines V2500-A5 engines to power the aircraft.

Aircalin has already put into service two Airbus A330-200s. The addition of the A320 will make it an all-Airbus operator.

"Our routes are crucial to the success of international trade and tourism for New Caledonia, and our modern Airbus fleet is the key to offering customers great service at economic prices," says Aircalin Chief Executive Officer Jean-Michel Masson. "The A320 will complement our A330s by flying short to medium haul routes and, with the same basic cockpit, is a natural addition to our fleet. It also enables Air Calin to offer the best comfort level available on the market and the youngest fleet in the Pacific region."

Airbus aircraft have enjoyed considerable success in the Pacific in recent years, with all of the major "flag carriers" choosing them for their fleet modernisations.

"Following the widebody A330 and A340, which have already established themselves as the 250-300 seaters of choice in the Pacific, the A320 Family is now also becoming the aircraft of preference in the region" says Airbus President and Chief Executive Officer Noël Forgeard.

Airbus' A320 Family features the most modern design, the widest and most comfortable cabin, and a unique level of operational commonality for any single-aisle aircraft. It also has great economics, low maintenance costs, transcontinental range, and a proven worth as an excellent financial investment. The A320 is thus a firm favourite with passengers, invariably coming top in independent surveys, as well as consistently leading in financial and operator polls.

Widely accepted as the industry standard, the best–selling Airbus A320 Family comes in four different sizes - the 107-seat A318, 124 seat A319, 150 seat A320 and 185 seat A321. All of them share the same airframe – only the fuselage lengths are different – plus the same cockpits, systems and engines deliver unmatched commonality and savings to airlines.

Firm orders for the best-selling A320 family now approach 3,000, almost 2,000 of which have been delivered, with some 130 customers and operators.

Airbus has a long-established and increasingly strong presence in the Pacific, where most of the major airlines have made Airbus aircraft the cornerstone of their future fleets.

Airbus is an EADS joint Company with BAE SYSTEMS.]]>Tue, 25 Mar 2003 00:00:00 +0100customer,a320,event_gen,miscellaneous,asset_man,france,worldwide_otherhttp://stagev4.airbus.com/en/presscentre/pressreleases/pressreleases_items/03_28_03_Martinair.html
Martinair's selection of the Airbus A320 was driven by the A320's superior economics, unbeatable performance on short runways, best dispatch reliability in its segment and outstanding level of passenger comfort in a single class layout. The A320 features the widest cabin cross-section, thus offering wider seats for a more pleasant flight and wider aisles for fast turnarounds that are essential in the charter market.

The Amsterdam based carrier will equip its A320s with V2527 engines from International Aero Engines, with low fuel burn, emissions and noise, making it an environmentally responsible neighbour at Schiphol airport.

Renowned for its operational flexibility, Martinair also recognised the unique value of the A320 Family in its decision. The A318, A319, A320 and A321 form the world's most profitable, extensive and best selling family of aircraft, offering Martinair significant flexibility to adapt capacity to demand in the future. All A320 Family members share the same type rating, so pilots qualified on one can fly any of the others without additional training, and the aircraft can all be maintained by the same team of mechanics.

Martinair's President and CEO Arie Verberk sees new opportunities with the new Airbus: "The choice of this Airbus A320 makes it possible for us to operate on another market in Europe. New destinations, especially on the smaller Greek islands, can be reached with this 180-seater. We can offer the tour operators a wider range of possibilities, so we will be an one-stop-shop for them."

"We are very pleased to see Martinair becoming the first operator of new A320s in the Netherlands, a country in which Airbus market share is growing rapidly," said Noël Forgeard, Airbus President and CEO. "With nearly 350 A320 Family aircraft in operation or on order for the European low-fare and tourism industry, Airbus is the clear market leader in this segment," he added.

Martinair operates across the globe from 75 locations, utilizing a network of international establishments as far afield as Hong Kong and Florida, and employing a workforce of no less than 3,000. Martinair also owns a number of aviation-related subsidiaries. Since its establishment 45 years ago, Martinair has grown from a small charter company into a significant player in both the European and intercontinental cargo and leisure carrier markets.

A leading aircraft manufacturer with the most modern and comprehensive product line on the market, Airbus is a global company with design and manufacturing facilities in France, Germany, the UK, and Spain as well as subsidiaries in the U.S., China and Japan. Headquartered in Toulouse, France, Airbus is an EADS joint Company with BAE SYSTEMS.]]>Fri, 28 Mar 2003 00:00:00 +0100customer,a320,event_gen,miscellaneous,asset_man,france,worldwide_otherhttp://stagev4.airbus.com/en/presscentre/pressreleases/pressreleases_items/04_01_03_Egyptair.html
The Egyptian flag carrier plans to operate the A330-200 on routes mainly within the Middle East and to Europe. In Egyptair's layout the aircraft will seat around 275 passengers in a highly comfortable configuration. The A330-200 offers the most spacious cabin of any aircraft in its category, creating a more enjoyable seating arrangement for passengers, while state-of-the art systems help to provide a comfortable atmosphere that reflects the commitment to passenger comfort found in all Airbus aircraft.

The A330-200 is renowned for being the most efficient aircraft in its class, combining the lowest operating costs with highly efficient cargo capabilities that enhance airline profitability through freight operations. The A330-200‘s flexibility and efficiency stem from its state-of-the-art technology, optimised wing design and the lowest fuel burn in its class.

Airbus' unique cross-fleet operational commonality was a decisive factor in the airline's decision in favour of the A330-200 said Egyptair Chairman General Atef Abd El Hamid. "Our crews are already familiar with the benefits of Airbus fly-by-wire technology, which allows a remarkable mobility between our Airbus aircraft types. We have found that this is a source of considerable savings in training and operations through Cross Crew Qualification between our A320/A321 single-aisles and our widebody A340s, which the A330-200 will further reinforce."

Noël Forgeard, Airbus President and Chief Executive Officer, said that this renewed mark of confidence in Airbus aircraft from its earliest customer in the Arab-speaking world was a source of great pride. "The close partnership we have had with Egyptair for well over twenty years is very special to us and we look forward to developing it further with the selection of the A330."

Egyptair is one of Airbus' largest customers in the Middle East, today operating seven A320s, four A321s, three A340-200s, two A300B4 freighters and seven A300-600 aircraft. Egyptair also has five A320s on order, to be delivered in the coming months.

Egyptair's selection of the A330 further reinforces the remarkable success of the A330/A340 Family as the preferred medium to long-range aircraft among airlines. The A330/A340 Family has booked over 750 total orders from more than 60 customers to date.

A leading aircraft manufacturer with the most modern and comprehensive product line on the market, Airbus is a global company with design and manufacturing facilities in France, Germany, the UK, and Spain as well as subsidiaries in the U.S., China and Japan. Headquartered in Toulouse, France, Airbus is an EADS joint Company with BAE SYSTEMS.]]>Tue, 01 Apr 2003 00:00:00 +0100customer,a330a340,event_gen,miscellaneous,asset_man,france,worldwide_otherhttp://stagev4.airbus.com/en/presscentre/pressreleases/pressreleases_items/04_02_03_Iberia.html
The A340-600s will replace the carrier's ageing 747 fleet on long haul routes, bringing considerable savings due to lower fuel consumption, better operational efficiency and greater cargo capacity. Together with a fleet of 18 A340-300s currently in service, they will be operated mainly on the airline’s routes from Madrid to major Latin American cities.

In Iberia's spacious layout, the A340-600 will accommodate ten passengers in First class, 42 in Business and 300 in Economy. Powered by four Rolls Royce Trent 500 engines, the aircraft will also be equipped with the latest in passenger entertainment and communication systems.

"The A340-600 will enable Iberia to increase its presence in the Latin American market and contribute to furthering our leadership, while offering optimised services to our customers. Our selection of the A340-600 follows a thorough evaluation and is mainly driven by the high level of flexibility and commonality with our A340-300 and single-aisle A320 Family fleets," said Xabier de Irala, President of Iberia. "This additional order is also a clear indication of our confidence in the future and the continuous growth of passenger and cargo air traffic in spite of current global economic difficulties."

"We are very honoured that once again Iberia, one of our largest customers in the world, has chosen to further its partnership with us, by increasing its order for the A340-600," said Noel Forgeard, Airbus President and CEO. "The A340 constitutes the clear market leader both in terms of aircraft sold and customers. Once again, we are committed to providing Iberia with the best in terms of both quality of product and customer services."

Iberia, an Airbus customer since 1978, has ordered a total of 109 aircraft from Airbus including 30 A340s and 75 A320 Family aircraft. Currently, Iberia operates a fleet of 18 A