Airbus Updates No.297

SAS CONFIRM AIRBUS ORDER FOR 30 AIRBUS A320NEO AIRCRAFT....................

STOCKHOLM (Dow Jones)--Scandinavian airline SAS AB (SAS.SK) said Monday it has placed an order for 30 Airbus A320neo with the option of a further 11, with first delivery from the second half of 2016 and final delivery during 2019.

-Based on Airbus list prices and before any discounts, the value of the firm order is approximately SEK18 billion.
-As from 2015 SAS' short-and medium distance aircraft will consist of two aircraft types: Airbus A320 at the base in Copenhagen and Boeing 737NG at the bases in Stockholm and Oslo.
-As part of the transition, all the MD80s in Copenhagen will be replaced by leased Airbus A320 and be completed by the end of 2014 which in turn will be replaced as from 2016 by the now 30 ordered Airbus A320neo.
-SAS Group expects to finance the aircraft through a combination of leasing and loans.
-All the MD80s at the base in Stockholm will be replaced by leased Boeing 737NGs, which will be completed during 2013.
-Finally all the Boeing 737 Classics at the base in Oslo will be replaced by Boeing 737NGs and this will be completed by the end of 2014.
-The fuel consumption and the carbon emissions per available passenger kilometers decreases by more than 20% when an MD-80 is replaced by a B737NG or an aircraft in the Airbus 320 family of the same size.
-When an aircraft of today's A320 fleet are replaced with an aircraft of the newest A320neo, the fuel consumption and carbon emissions per available seat kilometers will be reduced by additional 15%.
-SAS has chosen the CFM LEAP-X1A engine to power the A320neos. CFM is a joint venture of Snecma (Safran Group) (SAF.FR) and GE Engines (GE).
-The list price for an Airbus A320neo is approximately $90 million.

Airbus Updates No.296

20^th June

Press Release

Saudi Arabian Airlines orders more Airbus A330-300s

 

Saudi Arabian Airlines, Saudi Arabia’s national airline, has placed a firm order for four additional A330-300 aircraft in addition to the eight ordered in July 2008, taking the total order for the type to 12.

Saudi Arabian Airlines placed its first order with Airbus in over 30 years in 2007 for 22 A320 Family aircraft and later placed an order for eight A330s. In 2009, Saudia upsized by converting 15 of the A320 orders into the larger A321. Airbus has so far delivered 17 aircraft (five A320s, four A321s and all eight A330s) from the order for 30 before today.

"We are reaping the benefits of operational efficiency and productivity with our new fleet of A330s, and our passengers love it too. The A330 is an important pillar upon which we are building our ambitious expansion plans by simultaneously meeting rising passenger demand and expectations,” said His Excellency Engineer Khalid Al Molhem, Director General of Saudi Arabian Airlines.

Including leased aircraft, and today’s four A330, in the years to come, Saudia’s Airbus fleet will grow to 62 aircraft.

“We embarked with Saudi Arabian Airlines on their ambitious fleet renewal plans three years ago, and we are delighted with the result. This follow on order from one of the Middle East’s longest established airlines is a fantastic endorsement of our products,” said John Leahy, Chief Operating Officer, Customers.

The Airbus A330 remains the most economic means of flying some 300 passengers on medium range routes in true long haul comfort. The A330 aircraft offers unbeatable economics, and is the world’s most fuel efficient and productive aircraft on the market.

With a true wide-body fuselage allowing very high comfort standards, the A330-300 is able to accommodate seat and class configurations to suit the diverse customer requirements. It has a range of up to 5,650 nm / 10,500 km with a full passenger load. Highly efficient and optimized for the medium – to extended range market, the A330-300 offers the best balance between range and cost. Orders for the A330 stand at more than 1100, including over 500 A330-300 aircraft.

Airbus Updates No.295

20 June 2011

GE Capital Aviation Services Signs Firm Order for 60 Airbus 320neo Aircraft

 

PARIS, FRANCE, JUNE 20, 2011 --- GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS), the commercial aircraft leasing and financing arm of General Electric [NYSE: GE], announced today a firm order for 60 Airbus 320neo Family aircraft at the 49th LeBourget airshow. GECAS has selected CFM’s LEAP-X engine for all 60 A320neo aircraft.
The deal was announced today by Norman C.T. Liu, President and CEO of GECAS and John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer Customers. This new order brings the total number of A320 Family aircraft ordered by GECAS to 390.
“The A320neo Family will bring fuel savings to customers while offering the same levels of in-service reliability they expect,” said Norman C.T. Liu, President and CEO of GECAS. “We have a solid track record of placing A320s with customers around the globe.”
“GECAS’ order is further demonstration of the undisputable success of the A320neo Family with customers. This new order underlines its attractiveness in particular to leasing companies, who are expanding their portfolios with the world’s most modern, fuel efficient, single aisle aircraft,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer Customers. “The low operating costs and proven high dispatch reliability offered by the A320 Family make it a strong asset for the GECAS portfolio.”
The A320 Family has exceeded 7,000 firm orders, with almost 5,000 delivered reaffirming its position as the world’s best-selling single-aisle aircraft family. The A320neo has over 95 percent airframe commonality making it an easy fit into existing fleets while offering up to 500 nautical miles (950 kilometres) more range or two tonnes more payload at a given range.
The A320neo, available from 2015, incorporates new more efficient engines and large wing tip devices called “Sharklets” delivering significant fuel savings of up to 15 percent, which represents up to 3,600 tonnes of CO₂ annually per aircraft. In addition, the A320neo provides a double-digit reduction in NOx emissions and reduced engine noise.
CFM’s LEAP engines incorporate revolutionary technologies never before seen in the single-aisle aircraft segment. The new engine combines advanced aerodynamic design techniques, lighter, more durable materials, and leading-edge environmental technologies, making it a major breakthrough in engine technology. The better engine fuel efficiency, at current fuel prices, translates to significant fuel cost savings for customers.

Airbus Updates No.294

SAS TO ORDER A320NEO'S

SAS to announce order for up to 30 brand new A320NEO's this week at the Paris Air Show according to people connected with the deal

Airbus Updates No.293

Engine Glitch Hampers A400M Paris Debut

June 19, 2011

The Airbus A400M military transport plane suffered a setback on Sunday when the manufacturer was forced to curtail its debut appearance at the Paris Air Show.
The delayed A400M military airlifter suffered a gearbox problem in one of its powerful turbo-props days before the world's largest air show and will not now be able to carry out its display routine in front of aviation enthusiasts.
Airbus officials said the future European troop carrier would take part in a flypast on Monday to mark the show's opening but then be placed on static display.
"This is not a problem with safety, but flight test requirements are very demanding at the moment," Airbus Military chief executive Domingo Urena-Raso said.
Airbus did not give an estimate for the cost or time involved in fixing the problem, but did not indicate any change in its target to make the first delivery in early 2013.
The A400M has been developed at a cost of more than EUR€20 billion for Belgium, Britain, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Spain and Turkey. It is running four years late due to problems in building the West's largest turbo-prop engines and other snags.
The aircraft has been flying since December 2009 but this week's appearance is the plane's first at the prestigious Paris event.
About 340,000 visitors from the trade and general public are expected for the air show, which runs from June 20 to 26.
PROPELLOR CRACKS
The latest disappointment has cast doubt over whether the plane will be available to attend another air show in Britain in July at which the Royal Air Force and other buyers are expected to unveil an official new name for the aircraft: Atlas.
The naming follows a spat between the RAF and Airbus over the manufacturer's proposed nickname for the plane, "Grizzly," which RAF chief Sir Stephen Dalton said last year he would accept as an operational code name "over my dead body."
Industry sources have said the gearbox problem was not the only recent technical glitch during flight testing.
The aircraft's huge propellors built by French company Ratier-Figeac, indirectly owned by US group United Technologies, also developed cracks prematurely.
Project officials said the problem was being resolved.
Despite the aircraft's complexity and development problems, Airbus parent EADS says the A400M will be a reliable and effective aircraft once it enters service. Airbus hopes to sell around 500 more of the planes, from which it will pay back part of the extra money pumped in by purchasing nations

Airbus Updates No.292

Airbus Pulls A380 From Paris Flight Display

June 20, 2011

Airbus on Sunday said it was pulling one of its flagship double-decker A380s out of a flying display at the Paris Air Show, compounding a series of embarrassing hiccups for the EADS unit at this year's big-ticket industry event.
The right wing-tip of the A380, the world's largest airliner with a wingspan of almost 80 metres (yards), "touched" a structure at the Le Bourget airport during ground manoeuvres and will not perform in the flying display, Airbus said.
"Airbus experts are currently inspecting the aircraft, but it is already confirmed that the A380... will not perform the flying display," it said in a statement on Sunday evening.
Earlier, Airbus said another of its models, the delayed A400M military transport plane, would not be able to carry out a display routine on Monday after suffering a gearbox problem.
Airbus Military's chief executive had said there was no problem with safety but that flight-test requirements were "very demanding."
Sunday's incident also comes just two months after US investigators impounded an Air France A380 that collided with a smaller jet at New York's John F. Kennedy Airport. There were no reports of injuries.

Airbus Updates No.291

PARIS: A350-1000 delayed to 2017 as Rolls raises XWB thrust

Airbus is to postpone entry into service of the A350-1000 by two years, to mid-2017, in order to provide a thrust increase to 97,000lb (431kN) from the previous level of 93,000lb.
It is also delaying introduction of the A350-800 by a similar timeframe, pushing its entry back until mid-2016.
Airbus has been under pressure to bring the A350-1000's performance more into line with that of the Boeing 777-300ER.
With the additional power the -1000 will gain 400nm range with 350 passengers or another 4.5t in payload. The A350-1000's maximum take-off weight will increase from 298t to 308t, and its list price will rise by $9 million as a result of the changes.
Rolls-Royce is also to become the exclusive engine supplier on the -1000.
Airbus is retaining the same fuselage size on the twinjet: a five-frame stretch aft of the wing and a six-frame stretch forward, compared with the A350-900.
The aircraft will have an "optimised, not new" wing, said Airbus chief operating officer Fabrice Bregier, speaking at an EADS seminar ahead of the Paris air show.
It will retain "close to 100% hardware commonality" with the A350-900, he added. The A350-900, the first of the three-member family to be developed, will make its first flight at the end of 2012.
Rescheduling the development of the two other models will allow planning and resources for the A350-1000 to be sequenced around the development of the re-engined A320neo, which is due to become available in 2015, when the -1000 was also originally planned to arrive.
The postponement will allow technology insertion and earlier improvements to the -1000 based on A350-900 test results.
Airbus chief operating officer for customers John Leahy said the -1000 would be able to compete "very nicely" against the Boeing 777-300ER. Despite the -1000's having 15 fewer seats than the 365-seat 777-300ER, Leahy said it would offer 600nm additional range and burn 25% less fuel on a 4,000nm journey. The -1000 was "now in a class of its own", he added.
Rolls-Royce said the higher-thrust Trent XWB engine to power the -1000 will incorporate benefits derived from the manufacturer's Advance 3 technology demonstrator programmes.
Civil aerospace division president Mark King stated that the company knew from early testing of the powerplant that it could offer an improved version. The XWB engine was beating targets for internal aerodynamic efficiency, specific fuel consumption and generating cooler turbine temperatures.
"Having seen demand from customers, having seen what's happened on test bed, we [thought we had] other options," he said. "When we saw what this aircraft could do with an engine like that, we had no hesitation."
King said the manufacturer had the capability to build a larger core to increase thrust to 97,000lb with the same fan diameter and without an impact on fuel burn.
There are six XWB engines undergoing tests, he said, and added: "The compressor is by far the best compressor the world has ever seen."
King said that while Rolls-Royce had secured exclusivity on the -1000, the company had "never sought" a similar arrangement on the -800 and -900 - although it remains the only engine supplier for all three variants of the A350.
"We set out from the beginning to demonstrate, by our actions, that there's no need for another engine," King said. Leahy added: "The market isn't pushing for a second engine right now."
Flight-testing of the Trent XWB, on an Airbus A380, is to take place this year. Final assembly of the first member of the A350 family, the -900, is set to start at the end of 2011 with the maiden flight having been set back to the end of 2012.
Bregier is optimistic over progress on the programme. He said Airbus had managed to "get through all the traps" of manufacturing the large composite parts which are crucial to its fuselage and wing structure.
Qatar Airways is the launch customer for all three variants of the A350.

Airbus Updates No.290

Report: SAS A321 enroute on Jul 2nd 2010, smell of smoke

By Simon Hradecky, created Thursday, Jun 16th 2011 17:12Z, last updated Thursday, Jun 16th 2011 17:12Z A SAS Scandinavian Airlines Airbus A321-200, registration OY-KBF performing flight SK-502 from London Heathrow,EN (UK) to Copenhagen (Denmark), was enroute when smell of smoke was briefly observed on board. A mechanic on board found no trace of fire. The crew continued to Copenhagen for a safe landing. Denmark's Havarikommission released a brief report in Danish stating, that after landing a fire extinguisher in a toilet's waste bin was found discharged. It was not possible to determine what triggered the fire extinguisher, however it had been seen that passengers did not obey to the no-smoking sign and disposed remains of cigarettes, not properly extinguished, into the toilet's waste bin. Incident: Lufthansa A388 over Atlantic on Jun 14th 2011, medical emergency By Simon Hradecky, created Thursday, Jun 16th 2011 17:41Z, last updated Thursday, Jun 16th 2011 17:41Z A Lufthansa Airbus A380-800, registration D-AIMF performing flight LH-463 from Miami,FL (USA) to Frankfurt/Main (Germany), was enroute at FL380 about 410nm south of St. John's,NL (Canada) about 3 hours into the flight when an elderly lady suffered symptoms of hypotension and became unresponsive. A doctor on board provided first aid and was able to stabilize the woman permitting the continuation of the flight. The aircraft continued to Frankfurt for a safe landing about 6 hours later, already waiting medical services took care of the patient. Incident: Air Mediterranee A321 at Shannon on Jun 16th 2011, failure of nose gear steering By Simon Hradecky, created Thursday, Jun 16th 2011 18:19Z, last updated Thursday, Jun 16th 2011 18:19Z An Air Mediterranee Airbus A321-200, registration F-GYAQ performing flight DR-8230 from Nantes (France) to Shannon (Ireland), was on approach to Shannon descending through about FL120 when the crew reported their nose gear steering had failed but the crew expected a normal landing being able to vacate the runway, just needed to taxi very slowly. The airport put the emergency services on standby. The aircraft landed safely on runway 24 about 15 minutes later, vacated the runway and taxied slowly to the apron. The airplane was able to depart for the return flight DR-8231 after about one hour on the ground Accident: US Airways A319 at Pittsburgh on Jun 15th 2011, fumes on board By Simon Hradecky, created Friday, Jun 17th 2011 10:48Z, last updated Friday, Jun 17th 2011 10:48Z A US Airways Airbus A319-100, flight US-630 from Phoenix,AZ to Pittsburgh,PA (USA) with 106 passengers and 5 crew, was on approach to Pittsburgh's runway 10L descending through 5000 feet when the crew reported they were on oxygen due to fumes in the cockpit and requested emergency services available at the gate. The crew continued for a safe landing on runway 10L about 7 minutes later. While taxiing to the gate still on oxygen the crew requested paramedics at the gate reporting they had burning fumes in the cockpit and some odour in the cabin, the flight crew was suffering from burning eyes and a burning in the nose. One of the flight crew was subsequently taken to a local hospital. The airline reported mechanics have not yet identified the source of the fumes. Incident: Asiana A321 near Seoul on Jun 17th 2011, aircraft under fire By Simon Hradecky, created Saturday, Jun 18th 2011 09:14Z, last updated Saturday, Jun 18th 2011 09:36Z An Asiana Airlines Airbus A321-200, registration HL7763 performing flight OZ-324 (scheduled departure Jun 16th) from Chengdu (China) to Seoul Incheon (South Korea) with 119 people on board, was on approach to Seoul's Incheon Airport just about intercepting the localiser of Incheon Airport about 15nm northwest of Incheon Airport and a few nautical miles south of the border to North Korea when two South Korean soldiers on guard at Gyodong Island (about 5.5nm north of the aircraft position) thought the aircraft was a military one intruding the airspace from North Korea and opened the fire with their K-2 rifles. The aircraft was out of range of the rifles, was not hit and continued for a safe landing at 04:42L (before daybreak). South Korean Marine Officials said the two soldiers on guard fired a total of 99 rounds at the aircraft, the shooting lasted for about 10 minutes, the airplane however was out of range of their K-2 rifles by about 500-600 meters (0.3nm). The soldiers claimed the aircraft was substantially north of the normal approach route to Seoul's Incheon Airport. The soldiers had just been alerted to increased provocations by North Korea due to the increased tensions between the two Koreas. Orders have been issued by South Korea Defense Ministry to immediately open the fire upon such provocative acts without waiting for instruction from superiors following an incident in November last year when North Korean military took Yeonpyeong Island under fire killing 4 inhabitants. Training of military personnel will be improved especially with regards to identifying military and civilian aircraft. The airline said, the aircraft did not divert from its normal track. They got knowledge of the shooting only after the military inquired whether the aircraft suffered any damage. Aviation sources said, the airplane was following an entirely normal approach route. The K-2 rifles have an overall maximum range of 2400 meters (1.3nm) with an effective range of about 600 meters (0.3nm). Incident: Brussels A333 near Toulouse on Jun 17th 2011, hydraulic failure By Simon Hradecky, created Saturday, Jun 18th 2011 15:01Z, last updated Saturday, Jun 18th 2011 15:01Z A Brussels Airlines Airbus A330-300, registration OO-SFW performing flight SN-227 from Brussels (Belgium) to Monrovia (Liberia) with 114 people on board, was enroute at FL370 about 180nm north of Toulouse (France) when the crew received an ECAM messages indicating the loss of pressure in one of the hydraulic systems. The crew squawked emergency and diverted to Toulouse for a safe landing on Toulouse's runway 14R about 40 minutes later. The passengers were taken to hotels. The aircraft was repaired over night and departed Toulouse as flight SN-1227 the following day and is estimated to reach Monrovia with a total delay of 22 hours. Incident: Lufthansa A343 over Atlantic on Jun 17th 2011, fire indication By Simon Hradecky, created Saturday, Jun 18th 2011 16:55Z, last updated Saturday, Jun 18th 2011 16:55Z A Lufthansa Airbus A340-300, registration D-AIGB performing flight LH-420 from Frankfurt/Main (Germany) to Boston,MA (USA) with 215 passengers and 12 crew, was enroute at FL340 over the Atlantic south of Greenland when the crew received a fire alert for the cabin crew rest area, the indication did not cease even after the fire suppression system was activated. The aircraft descended to FL250 and diverted to Goose Bay,NL (Canada) for a safe landing about 90 minutes later. Emergency services found no trace of fire, heat or smoke. The passengers were taken to local hotels. The flight is expected to reach Boston with a delay of 23 hours. Passengers reported they were prepared for a possible water landing (ditching). Incident: Air Transat A313 near Fort Lauderdale on Jun 17th 2011, faulty door seal By Simon Hradecky, created Saturday, Jun 18th 2011 17:43Z, last updated Saturday, Jun 18th 2011 17:46Z An Air Transat Airbus A310-300, registration C-GTSX performing flight TS-375 from Santa Clara (Cuba) to Montreal,QC (Canada) with 230 people on board, was enroute at FL370 about 125nm northeast of Fort Lauderdale,FL (USA) when the crew requested to divert to Orlando,FL (USA). The aircraft descended to FL190 setting course towards Orlando, then turned south to divert to Fort Lauderdale, where the aircraft landed safely on runway 09L about 50 minutes after leaving FL370. Fort Lauderdale Airport reported the aircraft diverted because of a faulty cargo door seal. The aircraft was able to continue the journey after two hours on the ground and reached Montreal with a total delay of 4.5 hours.   Incident: Lufthansa A333 over Greenland on Jun 18th 2011, generator and APU failure followed by medical emergency By Simon Hradecky, created Saturday, Jun 18th 2011 22:26Z, last updated Sunday, Jun 19th 2011 00:10Z A Lufthansa Airbus A330-300, registration D-AIKN performing flight LH-490 from Frankfurt/Main (Germany) to Seattle,WA (USA), was enroute over northern Greenland when the inflight entertainment system, reading lights, parts of the cabin lighting and part of lavatory lighting failed. About 50 minutes later, overhead Baffin Island (Canada), the crew initiated a descent to FL230 in order to start the APU and returned to cruise level 380, the crew however decided to divert to Edmonton,AB (Canada) changing the diversion destination to Calgary,AB some time later. Just before reaching the top of descent towards Calgary a doctor, nurse or paramedic was called out to attend a medical emergency on board. The aircraft landed safely in Calgary about 4:45 hours after the onset of trouble. The airplane was able to depart Calgary after almost 5 hours on the ground and reached Seattle with a total delay of just over 5 hours. A passenger on board reported that the inflight entertainment system, reading lights, parts of the cabin lighting and part of lavatory lighting failed about 3.5 hours into the flight while flying over northern Greenland. About 50 minutes later the captain announced while flying over Baffin Island that the right hand generator (engine Trent 772) had failed and they were now descending to 7000 meters to start the APU, that can not be started at cruise level. The airplane descended and remained on the lower altitude for about 10 minutes, then climbed back to cruise level. The captain announced that neither APU nor generator #2 had been successfully started and they were now diverting to Edmonton to top up fuel and have maintenance have a look at the #2 engine. About 90 minutes later the crew announced they decided to divert to Calgary because of the better maintenance facilities available. About 7 minutes prior to top of descent flight attendants called for a doctor, nurse or paramedic to step forward to attend a medical emergency on board. The aircraft landed safely. After about 100 minutes on the ground the captain announced that the #2 generator could not be repaired, and the APU's ignition was damaged with no spare parts available in Calgary, a part was to be flown in from Vancouver. The passenger closed his "live report" from Calgary: "Now they are getting creative by considering taking the necessary ignition spare parts from the APU of a Lufthansa A340 that's currently here in Calgary too."

Airbus Updates No.289

Incident: Wizzair A320 near Budapest on Jun 11th 2011, suspected bird strike

By Simon Hradecky, created Sunday, Jun 12th 2011 17:24Z, last updated Sunday, Jun 12th 2011 17:24Z A Wizzair Airbus A320-200, registration HA-LPB performing flight W6-4106 from Memmingen (Germany) to Belgrade (Serbia), was enroute at FL350 over Graz (Austria) when the crew decided to divert to Budapest (Hungary). The aircraft landed safely on Budapest's runway 31L about 30 minutes later. The aircraft continued the flight after about 70 minutes on the ground and reached Belgrade with a delay of 75 minutes. A passenger on board reported that the captain just announced they were diverting to Budapest without any further explanation. Nothing abnormal occurred in the cabin, no emergency vehicles attended the aircraft in Budapest. After the aircraft arrived at the stand the captain walked around the aircraft with a number of technicians, then the aircraft was refuelled and departed again. The passenger was later told that the crew suspected a bird strike. Incident: Spanair A320 near Madrid on Jun 13th 2011, medical emergency By Simon Hradecky, created Monday, Jun 13th 2011 20:44Z, last updated Monday, Jun 13th 2011 20:44Z A Spanair Airbus A320-200, registration EC-JNC performing flight JK-5043 from Las Palmas,CI to Madrid,SP (Spain), was on approach to Madrid when a woman (50) travelling to Madrid to be treated for some serious illness became unresponsive. The airplane continued for a safe landing on Madrid's Barajas Airport, the passenger however had to be pronounced dead. The airplane returned to service about 8 hours after landing. Incident: Vueling A320 at Sevilla on Apr 20th 2011, nose wheels tilted 90 degrees on landing By Simon Hradecky, created Wednesday, Apr 20th 2011 21:00Z, last updated Tuesday, Jun 14th 2011 10:56Z A Vueling Airbus A320-200, registration EC-GRH performing flight VY-2220 from Barcelona,SP to Sevilla,SP (Spain) with 158 passengers and 7 crew, aborted the approach to Sevilla's runway 27 due to fault indications regarding the nose wheel steering and performed a low approach instead showing the nose gear was in its down and locked position, the nose wheel however appeared rotated by about 20 degrees. The airplane entered a holding to troubleshoot the issue and subsequently landed on runway 27 with the nose wheels rotated by 90 degrees at 20:52L (18:52Z) about 25 minutes after the first approach. The airplane came to a safe stop, no injuries occurred, the airplane received grinding damage to the nose wheels. The runway and airport was closed for 2.5 hours as a result until the aircraft was moved off the runway. Spain's CIAIAC reported on Jun 14th that the crew received ECAM messages "NW STEER FAULT" and "L/G SHOCK ABSORBER FAULT", the wheels were rotated by 90 degrees to the right upon landing. The #2 nose wheel fractured during the landing roll. Incident: Jetstar A321 at Darwin on Jun 12th 2011, takeoff from intersection instead full length By Simon Hradecky, created Wednesday, Jun 15th 2011 15:41Z, last updated Wednesday, Jun 15th 2011 15:47Z The crew of a Jetstar Airbus A321-200, registration VH-VWX performing flight JQ-83 from Darwin,NT (Australia) to Denpasar Bali (Indonesia), was planning for a departure from Darwin's runway 11 using the full length of the runway. When the aircraft taxied along taxiway B2 the aircraft lined up on runway 11 (about 1120 meters/3670 feet down the runway) and departed reaching Denpasar safely.   Incident: Germanwings A319 near Bern on Jun 10th 2011, loss of separation By Simon Hradecky, created Wednesday, Jun 15th 2011 21:57Z, last updated Wednesday, Jun 15th 2011 21:58Z A Germanwings Airbus A319-100, registration D-AKNK performing flight 4U-2529 from Barcelona,SP (Spain) to Stuttgart (Germany), was in contact with Zurich (Switzerland) Center descending from FL340 through about FL260 about 6nm northwest of Bern Airport (Switzerland), when the crew reacted to a TCAS resolution advisory and climbed to FL272. The aircraft was subsequently cleared to descend to FL260 and continued for a safe landing in Stuttgart about 27 minutes later. The air traffic controller at Zurich Center subsequently claimed the Germanwings A319 had been cleared down to FL280, whereas both crew claimed they had been cleared to FL250. The Swiss BFU reported the conflicting traffic was a Hahn Air Raytheon 390, registration D-IAGG performing flight HHN-201 from Zurich to Palma Mallorca,SP (Spain), climbing through FL258. The two aircraft had a "close encounter" at FL258 on opposite tracks. An investigation has been initiated. Incident: Jet Airways A332 near Brussels on Jun 16th 2011, unruly passenger By Simon Hradecky, created Thursday, Jun 16th 2011 16:25Z, last updated Thursday, Jun 16th 2011 16:28Z A Jet Airways Airbus A330-200, registration VT-JWE performing flight 9W-229 from Brussels (Belgium) to Delhi (India), was climbing out of Brussels when the crew decided to return to Brussels due to a very violent passenger. The aircraft levelled off at FL200 and returned to Brussels for a safe landing on runway 25L about 30 minutes later. The unruly passenger was taken into custody by police. The aircraft departed again after about one hour on the ground and is estimated to reach Delhi with a delay of 50 minutes.

Airbus Updates No.288

PARIS RUMOURS.......................2011

Below is a list of rumoured Airbus Orders that will be announced this week....expect some surprises

note : these are rumours only and not 100 certain

A320

200 Air Asia
25  Easyjet
20  Vueling Airlines

A330

10 Jet Airways
25 Fedex (Freighters)
8  KLM

A350

50  Air France / KLM Group

A380

30  Emirates
5  Singapore Airlines
5  Air France
5  Turkish Airlines
8  Cathay Pacific

dont expect all the 380 orders these are just rumours doing the rounds but if airbus did confirm all 53 airframes..................wow

Airbus Updates No.287

Airbus A319	-112	1124		TC-ATD	AtlasJet	delivery 18jun11 DUB-IST	ex EI-ELO
Airbus A319	-111	2214		VQ-B	SkyExpress	ferried 18jun11 AUH-DUB, G-reg, for paint	ex G-EZEJ
Airbus A319	-111	2249		VQ-B	SkyExpress	ferried 19jun11 AUH-DUB, G-reg, for paint	ex G-EZEO

Airbus A320	-211	112		9Q-	CAA - Compagnie Africaine d	delivery 18jun11 MPL-TMR-FIH, N-reg	ex N101LF
Airbus A320	-231	354		UR-CJD	Khors Air	delivery 17jun11 SAW-KBP, all white, to ops for ATA Airlines	ex N354BV

Airbus A320	-214	1504		D-ALTE	Air Berlin	Austrian Airlines OE-LBW, ntu, ferried 18jun11 DUS-DUB for paint into?	ex OE-LTU
Airbus A320	-214	2539		XA-	InterJet	ferried 18jun11 DUB-PÜRG after paint into all wh, D-reg, prior delivery	ex D-ABDA

Airbus A320	-232	4620		B-6781	Shenzhen Airlines	delivery 16jun11 ex TJN	ex B-
Airbus A320	-232	4736		HA-LWL	Wizz	delivery 17jun11 TLS-BUD	ex F-WWIO

Airbus A380	-861	64		F-HPJF	Air France	delivery 17jun11 XFW-CDG	ex F-WWAU
Airbus A380	-841	70		D-AIMH	Lufthansa	for delivery 20jun11 XFW-PRG-BUD-FRA	ex F-WWSG

Airbus Updates No.286

Record Asian Order Dominates Paris Air Fest

June 18, 2011

A record 200-plane order from AirAsia, Asia's largest budget carrier, looks set to dominate a jackpot of deals at next week's Paris Air Show in clear evidence of a multi-speed recovery shaping global industry, sources said.
While Western powers display military hardware that their armies can no longer guarantee to buy, all eyes at the world's largest air show will be on civil demand from growth-hungry Asia which has supplanted North America as the busiest travel market.
The roughly USD$17 billion deal from Malaysia's AirAsia for revamped Airbus A320neo jets is seen as the centrepiece of an industry show once again buzzing with orders.
"With the global economy, you're seeing some soft spots but yet you're also seeing some acceleration in some parts of the world. We are seeing a lot from Asia-Pacific and the developing economies," said Gleacher & Co analyst Peter Arment.
Sources close to the deal, which is still being finalised, said AirAsia was expected to beat a record for the largest number of planes sold in one contract, even before a recent 180 plane order from India's IndiGo is formally signed.
The deal will also be a boost for French-US engine venture CFM International, owned by GE and Safran, which is scrambling to catch up with rival Pratt & Whitney.
New developments by both firms have allowed plane makers to offer extra fuel savings to airlines and prompted Airbus to update its best-selling narrow-body A320 with new engines.
Boeing has not yet decided whether to copy Airbus in putting new engines on its popular 737 plane. It is weighing this against its preferred option of a bolder redesign, meaning Airbus faces pressure to prove its point with big market wins.
In a build-up resembling the kind of mind games played by team coaches before a sporting clash, a Boeing official speculated this week that Airbus could sell up to 1,000 jets. European sources dismissed the remark as a bid to embarrass Airbus.
Still, barring a last-minute deferral, industry sources said AirAsia's deal was being arranged for Thursday as the finale for a week in which Airbus alone is expected to sell over 500 jets.
Other customers expected to sign up for the revamped A320neo are India's Go Air with 72 planes and US leasing giant GECAS.
The A320 and 737 narrow-body planes are the biggest segment of the market and a cash cow for both Airbus and Boeing.
A question unlikely to be answered at the air show, at least in public, is how much they are getting for their planes.
Anecdotal evidence indicates that plane makers came out of the industry's worst ever recession offering sharply reduced prices to try to keep up sales momentum, even as they increase production to record levels to keep up with resurgent demand.
According to a US diplomatic cable on talks that led up to a sale of Boeing 737s to Caribbean Airlines last year, Boeing offered a 50 percent discount plus training in what the cable described as an "aggressive business offer" to beat Airbus.
The cable is part of a cache of messages obtained by the Wikileaks website.
An aviation industry source, who asked not to be named, said that such steep discounts from both Boeing and Airbus had not been uncommon in the periodic price wars between the two manufacturers.
Boeing declined to comment. The State Department did not respond to a request for comment.
NEW COMPETITORS
Some also question how far the Asian boom is sustainable.
"With ambitious figures like these (aircraft sales) the economy can sometimes pay you an unpleasant visit," said Washington-based analyst Richard Aboulafia of Teal Group.
Airbus and Boeing are refreshing their product lines amid future competition from China, which will display a cabin mock-up of its first large passenger jet, and Russia, whose prime minister Vladimir Putin will visit Le Bourget on Tuesday.
The two companies are involved in another strategy battle over the market for 350-seat wide-body twinjet planes -- the Boeing 777 and Airbus A350 -- also being driven by engine manufacturers.
Wheeling and dealing is carried out in luxury chalets with a view of passenger jets like the new Boeing 747-8, the world's longest airliner and one of the stars of this year's show.
The jet is painted in orange and red "sunrise" livery symbolising the rise of Asia as a hugely important market.
Even though the air show tarmac will be a Paris muscle beach for the world's most powerful transporters and fighters, Western powers facing heavy defence cuts are expected to keep the military side of the world's largest air show in check.
A mood of austerity has discouraged some US industry leaders from attending and the political climate for arms exports is more difficult to read after the Arab uprisings.
"Exports are being dampened by turmoil in the Middle East. Some countries are making decisions that focus more on social and defence needs," said Byron Callan, a director at Capital Alpha Parters in Washington. "Japan is focusing on its crisis and the economic damage from Fukushima," he added.
Several companies including Eurofighter will however take the opportunity to give briefings on their operations in Libya.
A bright spot for the defence segment is expected to come from Norway ordering its first four F-35 Joint Strike Fighters built by Lockheed Martin. Industry and government officials familiar with the plans said the order would be placed at the show.
The Paris Air Show also takes place against a backdrop of rising trade tensions as Air France comes under mounting political pressure in France to buy Airbus planes instead of Boeing.
Industry experts say that internally, the episode is acutely embarrassing for Airbus, which plans to warn European ministers at the show of the risks of a trade war over European emissions trading proposals. But US commentators say a petition signed by 100 French parliamentarians proves that partly state-owned Airbus does not operate on the same playing field as Boeing.

Airbus Updates No.285

Airbus A300

-605R

464

HS-TAG

Thai International

ferried 16jun11 DMK-EVN on delivery to Vertir Airlines, to be regd EK30064?

ex F-WWAL

Airbus A319	-112	3853		D-AHIN	Air Berlin	ferried 14jun11 DUS-MUC prior return to lessor	ex D-AVYX
Airbus A320	-231	373		N304ML	Mexicana	to be ferried 16jun11 VCV-MEX prior re-start ops	ex N373KA

Airbus A321	-211	1017		F-OIVU	Mcap Europe Ltd	ferried 16jun11 SEN-CMN, Air Ivoire cs, for overhaul after storage	ex G-OOAJ
Airbus A330	-203MRTT	951		A39-002	Royal Australian Air Force	delivery 15jun11 LEGT-LAS, regd MRTT002	ex EC-333
Airbus A330	-243MRTT	1033		ZZ330	Royal Air Force	ferried 16jun11 LEGT-TLS-EGDM after conversion, regd MRTT016	ex EC-335
Airbus A330	-202	1235			Royal Saudi Air Force	ferried 16jun11 TLS-MAD for MRTT conversion	ex EC-330

Airbus A340

-313

128

B-HXO

Cathay Pacific

ferried 15jun11 VCV-XMN after storage, for Aerolineas Argentinas

ex 9V-SJC

Airbus A380

-841

58

9V-SKL

Singapore Airlines

delivery 16jun11 TLS-SIN

ex F-WWSI

Airbus Updates No.284

Cebu Air Places USD$3.8 Bln Airbus Order

June 16, 2011

Philippine budget carrier Cebu Air will buy 37 planes from Airbus for USD$3.8 billion as it looks to more than double its fleet over the next 10 years and expand its routes, the company's chief executive said on Thursday.
Lance Gokongwei told reporters Cebu Air has put in orders for 30 new A321neos and seven A320s from Airbus with delivery between 2015 and 2021.
The order is in addition to 18 A320s that Cebu Pacific is set to receive from the second half of this year up to 2014.
"This is the largest single aircraft order ever made by a Philippine carrier," Gokongwei said, adding it was also the largest firm order for the A321neo in the world.
"We expect to launch a flight using A321 by 2017," he said. "We will be able to serve cities in Australia, India, and northern Japan, places the A320 cannot reach."
The airline plans to use internally generated cash and may seek loans from export credit agencies and commercial lenders to fund the purchases.
Cebu Air, which operates the country's largest budget airline Cebu Pacific, is a unit of Philippine conglomerate JG Summit Holdings.
The airline expects to at least meet its target of flying 12 million passengers this year, up 14 percent from last year, despite rising fuel prices. It currently has 33 jets, of which 25 are A320s and eight are turbo prop planes from aircraft maker ATR.
"With the A321neo, Cebu Pacific will be able to fly more people further at significantly lower cost per seat than any other competing aircraft, and with less impact on the environment," Airbus chief operating officer John Leahy said in a statement.
Cebu Air has yet to make an engine choice for the A321neo, but the choices open to it are CFM International's LEAP-X and Pratt & Whitney's PurePower PW1100G.
The A321neo, the largest model in the recently launched A320neo series, uses new engines and large wing-tip devices called sharklets that would allow Cebu Pacific to achieve 15 percent reduced fuel burn, a statement from Cebu Air said.
Cebu Air competes with flag carrier Philippine Airlines locally and with Singapore's Tiger Airways and Malaysia's Air Asia in the region.

Airbus Updates No.283

Airbus Gets USD$7.2 Bln GoAir Order

June 16, 2011

Airbus has received an order worth USD$7.2 billion for 72 planes from Indian carrier GoAir, the latest in a series of Indian airlines scrambling to meet growing demand in Asia's third-largest economy.
The order for A320 planes brings GoAir's total order book with Airbus to USD$9.6 billion, managing director Jeh Wadia told reporters on Thursday.
Indian carriers are growing their fleets as demand booms in India, where an economy growing at nearly 9 percent is spurring business travel and a burgeoning middle class long accustomed to rail travel is now increasingly opting for air.
India's largest private carrier Jet Airways is also expected to place aircraft orders with Airbus at the Paris Air Show later this month, according to media reports.
Earlier this year, budget carrier IndiGo placed a USD$15.6 billion order with Airbus for 180 planes in what it called the biggest jet order in commercial aviation history.
And in November, rival SpiceJet agreed to buy 30 Nextgen turboprop aircraft from Canada's Bombardier for USD$915 million.
"In terms of aircraft, we see tremendous potential in India, which has barely six airlines with 350 aircrafts catering to a billion people, compared with China's present 1,100 aircrafts," Wadia said.
India is scrambling to get its airport infrastructure in line with ballooning demand. The country has revamped its ailing airports in three major cities - New Delhi, Bangalore and Hyderabad, but smaller cities still need to be addressed.
GoAir has ordered the "A320neo" planes -- an upgraded version of Airbus's best-selling A320 180-seat workhorse. The deliveries will begin in 2015.
"We are evaluating various fund-raising options (for the deal). It will be a combination of debt and equity," Wadia said.
GoAir flies to 18 destinations across India, with a focus on the busy metro routes of Mumbai, New Delhi and Bangalore. It now plans to focus on smaller cities, Wadia said.
Last month, two sources with direct knowledge of the matter had told reporters GoAir was planning to raise about USD$150 million through a public offer to fund its operational expenses, repay debt and buy new planes.

Airbus Updates No.282

Airbus A319	-112	3171		EI-EAF	AerCap	ferried 14jun11 SNN-WOE, all white	ex SU-KBB
Airbus A320	-211	299		PH-AAZ	Amsterdam Airlines	delivery 10jun11 WOE-AMS	ex TS-INF
Airbus A320	-231	371		N304ML	Mexicana	ferried 15jun11 VCV-MEX prior re-start ops	ex N373KA
Airbus A320	-232	667		RP-	Zest Airways	painted at DUB from 10jun11	ex N403AC
Airbus A320	-232	3543		XA-VOW?	Volaris	delivery 14-15jun11 CRK-NRT-ANC-TIJ	ex EI-ERC

Airbus A330

-203MRTT

951

A39-002

Royal Australian Air Force

delivery 15jun11 LEGT-LAS, regd MRTT002

ex EC-333

Airbus A340	-311	2		G-VHOL	Virgin Atlantic	last svc 06jun11 NBO-LHR, ferried same day LHR-MNL prior delivery to?	ex F-WWAS
Airbus A340	-313	128		B-HXO	Cathay Pacific	ferried 15jun11 VCV-XMN after storage, for Aerolineas Argentinas	ex 9V-SJC

Airbus A340

-313

214

G-VELD

Virgin Atlantic

ferried 08jun11 LHR-MAN for paint into new cs

ex F-WWJY

Airbus Updates No.281

HONG KONG AIRLINES TO ORDER A380 AIRCRAFT AT NEXT WEEKS PARIS AIRSHOW


Hong Kong Airlines CEO today announced that the company will place an order for the Airbus A380 at next weeks Paris Air Show...the news revealed in an interview with the far east edition of the wall street journal will see the airline use the Airbus A380 on new routes to London and Paris

 ·

Hong Kong Airlines to Order Airbus A380s at Paris Show in Cathay Challenge

 

A Hong Kong Airlines Ltd., logo is displayed at the company's headquarters in Hong Kong, China. The carrier will be the third new A380 customer this year. Photographer: Dale de la Rey/Bloomberg

Hong Kong Airlines Ltd. will order Airbus SAS A380s as it challenges larger neighbor Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. (293) and adds flights in China, the world’s fastest- growing air-travel market.
The carrier, controlled by the investment arm of China’s Hainan province government, will announce the deal at next week’s Paris Air Show, it said in a text-message reply to questions today. It didn’t elaborate on the number of superjumbos it will buy at the show, which starts June 20.
The world’s largest airliner may help Hong Kong Air compete with Cathay on long-haul routes and offset a looming capacity crunch at the city’s airport caused by delays in building a new runway. The carrier will be the third new A380 customer this year, following Skymark Airlines Inc. and Asiana Airlines (020560) Inc., as Airbus boosts sales among smaller Asian carriers.
“It’s a good move for brand-building,” said Kelvin Lau, a Hong Kong-based analyst at Daiwa Capital Markets. “It’s quite difficult for newcomers to break into lucrative long-haul routes.”
Hong Kong Air also agreed to order 32 Boeing Co. (BA) 787s and six 777 freighters earlier this year to help expand. It had 30 Airbus A320s, 12 A330s and 15 A350s on order as of the end of May, according to the Toulouse, France-based planemaker’s website. The carrier and affiliate Hong Kong Express now operate 18 planes, according to their website.
The airline expects to double passenger numbers to 4 million this year as it adds planes and taps China’s rising travel, President Yang Jianhong said in March. The carrier has a less than 10 percent share of Hong Kong’s outbound travel market, Royal Bank of Scotland Group Plc said at the time.

‘Good Move’

The airline will be the second in Greater China to order the A380 following China Southern Airlines Co. Airbus is due to deliver the first superjumbo to China Southern later this year. The planemaker has sold a total of 234 A380s, of which 49 have been delivered, as of the end of May, according to its website.
Orders for the A380 have been dominated by Middle East and Asia-Pacific carriers. Emirates Airline has placed orders for 90, making it the largest customer. Singapore Airlines Ltd. (SIA) was the first carrier to fly the superjumbo on commercial services. Asiana, South Korea’s second-biggest carrier, signed up for six A380s in January. Skymark, a Japanese budget airline, confirmed an order for four the following month.
Cathay Pacific has so far ruled out ordering A380s and is instead building its long-haul fleet with smaller planes. It ordered 15 Airbus A330-300s and 10 Boeing 777-300ERs in March, following an agreement for 30 A350s in August.

‘Big Aircraft’

“We’ll probably have another good look at big aircraft in the next one or two years,” Chief Executive Officer John Slosar said last week in Singapore at the International Air Transport Association’s annual general meeting.
Hong Kong Air is seeking to raise funds by selling a stake to private-equity investors ahead of an initial public offering that may raise as much as $1 billion, Yang said in March. The carrier had a net income of about HK$110 million ($14 million) in 2010, its first annual profit, and it may double that this year, he said.
Hong Kong Airport will likely reach full capacity by about 2020 because of growing demand for flights into China, operator Airport Authority Hong Kong said earlier this month as public consultation on plans to build a third runway began. Passenger numbers at the airport may grow as much as 3.6 percent a year, reaching 105 million by 2030, according to estimates on its website.
China’s international passenger numbers my rise 11 percent a year through 2014, about double the pace of the global market, according to the International Air Transport Association

Airbus Updates No.280

Thai Air To Spend USD$3.9 Bln On 37 Aircraft

June 13, 2011

Thai Airways said on Monday its board had approved plans to acquire 37 new aircraft for THB118.6 billion baht (USD$3.9 billion) in 2011-2017.
The national carrier would purchase 15 aircraft for THB49.5 billion baht and would obtain 22 aircraft under an operating lease for about THB69 billion baht, using working capital, it told the stock exchange.
Under the plan, it would buy six Boeing 777-300ERs, with delivery in 2014 and 2015, four Airbus A350-900s for delivery in 2016 and 2017 and five Airbus A320-200s for delivery in 2014 and 2015.
It plans to lease six 787-8s to be delivered in 2014 and 2015 and two 787-9s for delivery in 2017 from International Lease Finance with rental terms of 12 years.
It would also obtain, for delivery in 2016 and 2017, six A350-900s from Aviation Lease and Finance and two from CIT Aerospace International with rental terms of 12 years.
An additional six A320-200s, with a 12-year term of rental, would be leased from RBS Aerospace for delivery in 2012 and 2013.
The procurement is part of its long-term plan to develop a modern, efficient fleet that would meet airline industry standards and help it stay competitive.
Thai Air, with a market value of USD$2.1 billion, is 51 percent owned by the Finance Ministry and competes with bigger rivals Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific Airways.
The airline has the ambition to become one of the top three airlines in Asia and among the top five airlines in the world both in terms of quality and service efficiency.

Airbus Updates No.279

Airbus A300	-622R	703		D-AEAN	EAT Leipzig	N-regd 07jun11, ferried 14jun11 HND-TSE-DRS, N-reg, basic JAL cs	ex JA8564
Airbus A310	-324F	693		VT-AIO	Deccan 360	ferried 10jun11 ESB-LIS after storage in India, + 684 VT-AIN 01jun11 ESB-OPO, + 697 VT-AIP 05jun11 ESB-LIS	ex 9V-STR
Airbus A318	-112CJ	4650		VQ-B	Sonair	ferried 08jun11 XFW-YQX-TUL, regd F-WHUI for cabin config	ex D-AUAG
Airbus A319	-112	1124		EI-ELO	GECAS	seen regd at DUB 09jun11, still in Royal Falcon cs, TC-ATD ntu	ex N595MS

Airbus A320

-214

4055

A9C-BAU

Bahrain Air

ferried 07jun11 BAH-DXB on wet-lease to Kam Air to operate for six months DXB-KBL-DEL-DXB

ex F-WWBB

Airbus A340	-311	2		G-VHOL	Virgin Atlantic	last svc 06jun11 NBO-LHR, ferried same day LHR-MNL prior delivery to?	ex F-WWAS
Airbus A340	-313	212		A9C-LG	Gulf Air	ferried 14jun11 BAH-CHR, for Hellenic Imperial	ex A4O-LG

Airbus Updates No.278

Air France Urged To Back Airbus In Plane Order

June 13, 2011

French parliamentarians have launched a petition calling on Air France-KLM to place a USD$20 billion - USD$25 billion plane order with Airbus and not Boeing -- but airline officials said they would split the order.
Bernard Carayon, a member of President Nicolas Sarkozy's ruling conservative UMP party, who claims authorship of the popular term "economic patriotism" to defend French firms, said he had collected signatures from 102 members of parliament.
"When the Americans buy American, Europeans should buy European," said Carayon, whose list of signatories amounts to more than one in six members of the lower National Assembly.
Air France-KLM is negotiating with Boeing and Airbus and their engine makers after launching a tender for 100 mid-sized Airbus A350 or Boeing 787 jets to renew its long-haul fleet.
The order for the latest carbon-composite aircraft is seen as one of the biggest industry battles in the coming year.
Airline officials said the contract would be designed according to the needs of the group's two main networks and would probably be split between Boeing and Airbus.
"My view is that at some point in the future, both types of aircraft will be flying on both of our networks," Peter Hartman, chief executive of Dutch carrier KLM said.
Air France and KLM merged in 2004 to form Europe's largest airline by revenues but they kept separate networks and brands.
Historically, KLM has tended to buy Boeing aircraft and Air France has a mixed fleet with emphasis on Boeing for long trips.
Asked whether the Air France-KLM group would miss out on the best price by stating in advance that it was ready to split the order, Hartman said: "Half of 100 is still a lot of planes."
A final decision is not expected for several months.
Carayon's intervention is unlikely to have an immediate impact on the negotiations but is seen as an early warning of the potentially volatile backdrop to the deal as employment once again looks set to dominate French elections due in 2012.
Aerospace is a major source of high-tech jobs in France.
Aircraft industry executives say plane orders such as this one tend to trigger intense lobbying from both sides of the Atlantic, often dragging in the heads of respective governments.
The contest is also happening as the United States and European Union draw towards the close of the world's largest trade battle involving mutual allegations of aircraft subsidies.
Any sign of interference in the Air France-KLM deal will likely be seized on by Boeing as evidence of unfair competition.
The French government owns 15.7 percent of Air France-KLM and 15 percent of Airbus parent company EADS.
Airbus and Boeing are the world's only manufacturers of aircraft in the 250-300 seat class targeted by Air France-KLM. They face the threat of new competition from China, Canada, Russia and Brazil for their best-selling smaller models.
Airbus has sold 2,894 planes to North America in its 40-year history, according to data on the company's website. Over the same period, Boeing has sold 4,100 planes to Europe including to Air France and traditional Boeing buyer British Airways.