In an interview with the Financial Times, Rudiger Grube, EADS chairman,

seems to rejoice that much less is being written about the company, what the paper calls an“under-stated jubilation” after the battle between France and Germany to reorganizethe management. “It was not possible with this two-headed structure to come to a realsolution about paying a dividend”, Mr. Grube says. He insists that “today, it’s clear we’re inone boat” and that EADS definitely works as a normal company today, “free of the nationalcamps and flags”. Speaking about political issues reportedly interfering in Airbus’ plant saleto US group Spirit, he rather emphasizes that Spirit’s conditions “didn’t fit with our target”. Healso reassures that the sale of factories to Latecoere, GKN and MT Aerospace “is still ontrack”

According to German news agency DPA, EADS has given up on its plan to implement

a golden share and now considers the option of limiting its shareholders’ voting rights inorder to protect itself against a hostile takeover bid. Under this new scenario, the groupwould limit voting rights for all shareholders controlling 15 % of its capital, explained the newsagency, citing unidentified industry sources. EADS declined to comment, but Daimler, whoowns 15 % of the group’s capital, said no decision had been taken. Confirmation came thisweek-end from Rudiger Grube, who pleaded for “a fresh protection mechanism” to stopforeign takeovers. He mentioned that any decision would have to get approval from Brusselsand be acceptable to financial markets. Anyway, such changes would probably not happenthis year, he added.

Alexei Fiodorov, the boss of Russian public holding UAC,

stated that his group wouldacquire VEB’s 15% stake in EADS by the second half of the year. The transaction wouldtake the form of a stake swap, as VEB might receive shares of leasing company IliouchineFinance.
AFP (24/03)

The sale of Airbus’s German plants to aerospace supplier OHBhas failed,

reports Financial Times Deutschland on its website. Citing industry sources,the German newspaper’s online edition claims discussions between Airbus and OHB overthe financial and industrial terms of the sale have failed. Airbus CEO Thomas Enders willnow have to make a decision over the fate of the three involved factories within two to threeweeks. An Airbus spokesperson, however, said “negotiations are going on in the threecountries”, namely France, Germany and the UK. OHB and its subsidiary MT Aerospacewere not available for comment last week. The press recalls that Louis Gallois recentlydeclared that the Airbus plant sale programme could be slowed down by the strong euro andthe global financial crisis. According to French paper Le Figaro,

The tanker contract award to EADS remains under fire in the US,

where lawmakers and trade unions criticise the Pentagon for favouring a European supplierover Boeing. Globalisation has become a “nasty word” since, notes Le Point. But critics seemto forget that Boeing itself relies much on foreign suppliers and is a true example of globalmanufacturing. About 60 % of the components for all its commercial aircraft models aresupplied by foreign subcontractors, and this share climbs to 70 % for the 787 Dreamliner.However, Boeing spokesman Daniel Beck replies there is “no comparison to be madebetween an aircraft destined for the commercial market only and a refuelling tankerexclusively designed for the Army”. The French magazine details that the tanker modeloffered by EADS/Northrop will be assembled in Alabama,

Boeing will have to redesign parts of its 787 Dreamliner.

During aJP Morgan conference last week, Steven Udvar-Hazy, CEO of US aircraft leasing groupILFC, the 787’s largest customer, said that the first deliveries of the aircraft would be delayedanother six months. While production issues were behind the first two delay announcements,this new postponement would be due to design mishaps. In response, Boeing acknowledgedthat it would have to redesign parts of its new 787 Dreamliner, but said it was sticking to itsmost recent guidelines. Boeing will make a normal adjustment, part of the development of anew aircraft. Mr Udvar-Hazy said he expected delivery to be postponed to the end of the thirdquarter of 2009, compared with Boeing’s most recent guidance for early 2009. Investors didnot seem too concerned about these declarations and the Boeing share resisted the globaldecline of the financial market. According to Le Figaro, Boeing’s communication actually iscentred on playing down problems but without hiding them, which is the best way to preservethe group’s stock. But the coverage of the French paper is quite fierce with Boeing. It saysthat Boeing’s justification for the first flight’s delay had left analysts sceptical. Besides,attentive observers could have noticed that, for the plane’s roll-out in August 7, the prototypewas badly and quickly assembled, only to shine in front of cameras and reassure investors.Le Figaro adds that Boeing’s delays can not compare with what Airbus knew with the A380.The problems are much more serious.
Reuters (20/03), Les Echos (21/03), Le Figaro Economie,Frankfurter Allgemeine (22/03), la Tribune, La Croix

EADS is to win a new contract from Great Britain,

to replace the country’s air refuellingtanker fleet. EADS is the leading contractor of a consortium named AirTanker (also formedby Thales UK, Rolls-Royce), which was selected as preferred bidder in 2005. The consortiumwould supply UK with A330 aircraft.
AFX (23/03)

Shimadzu, the Japanese analytical and airplane component maker,

is turning to Airbus after repeated delays by its client, Boeing, especially regarding the 787. “Initialresearch costs are huge in the airplane business, and returns don’t come in until severalyears later. Delays hurt”, Shimadzu’s CEO said. Therefore, to preserve its activity, it needs toexpand its client base.
Reuters (21/03), Herald Tribune (22/03)