Airbus has started shipping the first aircraft sections to its new assembly line in Tianjin, China

Airbus has started shipping the first aircraft sections to its new assembly line in Tianjin, China, which is due to start operations in August. In a statement, the plane maker announced that

Safran has announced a large-scale reorganisation plan.

Safran has announced a large-scale reorganisation plan. The new operational organisation will be implemented from the beginning of 2009. It includes the merger of aeroengine maker Snecma

Thomas Enders intends to impose English as the main language at Airbus

In a comment piece entitled “Thank you, Major Tom!”, Handelsblatt goes back over reports that Thomas Enders intends to impose English as the main language at Airbus. The newspaper cites Mr Enders as

An EADS-led consortium is seen as the favourite candidate to win a $ 1Bn contract to build a border fence for Saudi Arabia.

An EADS-led consortium is seen as the favourite candidate to win a $ 1Bn contract to build a border fence for Saudi Arabia. The Saudi want to build a fence along the 900-km border with Iraq,

EADS and Boeing are now waiting for the US Air Force to make a decision about the multibillion tanker contract

EADS and Boeing are now waiting for the US Air Force to make a decision about the multibillion tanker contract. The international press largely comments the US Government Accountability Office (GAO)’s ruling which will probably force the Air Force to reopen a competition for refuelling tankers. This outcome is a further blow at EADS who faces an accumulation of concerns and “turbulences”, says Les Echos. Though the game is not lost yet, adds the daily, it should be long and difficult. “Boeing will propose such a competitive solution that it will leave no chance to EADS”, estimate Exane analysts. Beyond the tanker contract,

Big manoeuvres are starting in the US skies.

Big manoeuvres are starting in the US skies. La Tribune reports that Continental Airlines announced yesterday that it would sign up large-scale commercial cooperation with its US counterpart

Anne-Marie Idrac said she hoped All Nippon Airways would launch a bid call for ultra big-size aircraft like the A380

French Foreign Trade Secretary of State Anne-Marie Idrac said she hoped All Nippon Airways would launch a bid call for ultra big-size aircraft like the A380 very soon. “Information I have show that

Seven French and German Airbus unions urged employees in Toulouse to avoid all attempts to oppose the two countries

Seven French and German Airbus unions urged employees in Toulouse to avoid all attempts to oppose the two countries. In a joint statement, they regretted that “our executives do their best to

EADS and Thales both deem that the concentration process of the European aerospace and defence industry is not over yet

EADS and Thales both deem that the concentration process of the European aerospace and defence industry is not over yet. French financial weekly Le Revenu analyses the five “most probable” merger

The aviation industry commits to ‘green’ air transport.

The aviation industry commits to ‘green’ air transport. The first ever Green Aviation Show will take place at the Bourget Airport, near Paris, this weekend. In addition to debates and conferences,

The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) supported Boeing’s protest of the tanker contract award to Northrop Grumman and EADS.

The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) supported Boeing’s protest of the tanker contract award to Northrop Grumman and EADS. “Our investigation has led us to the conclusion that the US Air Force made a significant number of mistakes that could have wronged the outcome of the competition between Boeing and Northrop Grumman”, announced the GAO in a statement yesterday. The ruling is only a recommendation, however, and it is now up to the Pentagon to decide –within 60 dayswhether it reissues a bid call or not.

Maiden flight of the A400M military transport aircraft should take place in September

Louis Gallois said yesterday that the maiden flight of the A400M military transport aircraft should take place in September. “This plane will fly in the summer, but the schedule is increasingly tight”,

Orders are starting to slow for Airbus and Boeing after three years of record sales

Chicago Tribune reports that orders are starting to slow for Airbus and Boeing after three years of record sales. The US daily says it is not clear, however, whether airlines are just taking a break or whether

American airlines could record $ 7Bn to $ 15Bn losses in 2008.

According to US Air Transport Association (ATA), American airlines could record $ 7Bn to $ 15Bn losses in 2008. The impact of the oil price surge, therefore, will be stronger than that of the Sept-11

Louis Gallois said yesterday that Airbus was on track on the cost-cutting targets set by the Power 8

Louis Gallois said yesterday that Airbus was on track on the cost-cutting targets set by the Power 8 restructuring plan. In terms of job cuts, he told reporters the company had achieved 60% of its