Europe's airline industry looks set to challenge
Boeing for the large aircraft market.
Airbus, which already makes more smaller jets
than Boeing, is planning to officially announce
the launch of its A3XX 'super jumbo' on
Thursday after a board meeting.
The project received a further boost on
Tuesday when German economics minister
Werner Mueller pledged cash to help fund the
development of the new plane, which could
cost up to $12bn. (Ј8bn)
Britain has already pledged Ј500m to the
project, while France has also put aside funds
in next year's budget.
The new super jumbo aircraft would carry
between 550-650 passengers at ranges of up
to 8,700 miles (14,000 km).
It will create thousands of jobs across Europe,
with the UK's Bae Systems one of the main
contractors.
Who will build the plane?
The other members of the Airbus consortium,
France's Aerospatiale, Germany's Dasa, and
Spain's Casa would also have a key role in
construction.
But Dasa chief Rainer Hertrich said that a
decision on how to divide up the work will be
crucial to the launch decision.
The decision on Thursday is likely to be merely
the first stage before the first aircraft begins
commercial flight in around 2005.
The "authorisation to offer" will allow Airbus to
sign contracts with airlines interested in buying
the huge plane.
Airbus says it is confident that…
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