ATR might make an entry into the Japanese market soon.

Japanese import-export company Itochu Corporation said yesterday that it would represent ATR in Japan so as to market two regional aircraft models: the ATR72-500 and ATR42-500. The company hopes to win 20 to 50 orders for the planes. AFP (14/05)

Airbus will raise its Research and Technology spending by 25 % as early as this year,

in an effort to boost the development of env ironmental-friendly technology. Spanish daily ABC reports that Airbus makes it a priority to reduce emissions. “Technology is and will always be the key for progress”, the plane maker is cited as saying. Though it insists on the fact air transport only generates 2 % of worldwide CO2 emissions, Airbus agrees that the sector must do “everything possible” to improve its ecological records. In a separate report, Financial Times echoes that the aviation industry is making efforts to “clean up”. The British daily cites Airbus estimates that passenger traffic increases 5 % a year, which will lead to demand for 24,000 new aircraft by 2026.