Airbus announced that it will increase its aircraft list prices from May 1,

mainly due to the weak dollar and higher raw material prices, especially for metals. The price rise will be “higher than normal”, added the group. “This is the first time since 2003 that Airbus has enforced a higher-than-normal price increase”. Thus, in addition to the expected 2.74 % price increase, Airbus will add $ 2M in average per single-aisle jet and $ 4M per long-haul and A380-family model. The company explained that prices for metal products –notably titanium, steel, aluminium and aluminium-lithium, which account for at least 40 % by weight in aircraft design- have gone up “by at least 6.5 %” in the course of 2007. Les Echos points out that these prices are theoretical and that airlines often manage to negotiate rebates. AFP (22/04), AFX (22/04), Le Figaro Economie, Les Echos, La Tribune, La Croix, Hamburger Abendblatt, The Wall Street Journal Europe, International Herald Tribune, ABC