Airbus is to win a contract with Tunis Air during President Sarkozy’s visit to Tunisia.

According to an unidentified diplomatic source, Airbus is to win a contract with Tunis Air during President Sarkozy’s visit to Tunisia. Tunis Air would place a firm order for 10 A320s and 3 A350s, with options for 2 A320s and 1 A350. The deal is valued at €1 Bn and would also include an “industrial package”, enhancing the cooperation between Tunis Air and the French aerospace sector. Airbus representatives and the Tunisian Transport Minister were still finalizing details on Monday night. A source based in Tunis said that the A350s could serve to expand the airline’s capacity to Paris and to start operations towards Canada. Reuters, AFP (28/04), Les Echos, La Tribune, Le Figaro, Le Monde, Liberation, France Soir, Aujourd’hui en France

Emirates unaffected high oil price.

Despite the massive rise in prices for kerosene, Dubai’s airline Emirates registered another record profit in 2007. According to Emirates President Tim Clark, “we had the most profitable year of our history”. Nonetheless, the Emirates management considers launching a cost reduction programme as well as an increase of the air fares. Following internal information, the company has gained more than $1.2 Bn in 2007 and is among the most profitable and strongly growing companies worldwide. One of its most ambitious investment projects is the upcoming $60 Bn-worth order of 191 new wide-body aircraft, among them 58 Airbus A380 aircraft. Its competitor Qatar Airways has also ordered 135 Airbus and Boeing aircraft. Financial Times Deutschland

Tiger Airways, the low-cost carried based in Singapore, and a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, is planning to expand its fleet,

Tiger Airways, the low-cost carried based in Singapore, and a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, is planning to expand its fleet, and is considering picking up Airbus jets. The airline has already approached banks to obtain financing for 4 A320s and 2 spare engines, in a $225 M deal. The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times

Airbus unions have confirmed their call to stop working between 9.30 and 11.30 on all sites of the airplane maker.

Airbus unions have confirmed their call to stop working between 9.30 and 11.30 on all sites of the airplane maker. They protest against what they assume to be an unfair treatment about the sites sale between France and Germany. La Croix, AFP, France Soir