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Technology update
A3XX go-ahead given
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Airbus Industrie has received shareholder approval to make firm
offers to potential launch customers for the A3XX.
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Airbus Industrie has received approval from its shareholders to begin
making firm commercial offers to potential launch customers for the
555-seat double-decker jetliner, the A3XX. This "Authorization to Offer"
(ATO) follows an extensive review of the market by the company that
clearly indicated a demand.
To date, eight companies have expressed interest in acquiring the A3XX.
They include Air France, Emirates, ILFC, Singapore Airlines, Virgin
Atlantic, and three other undisclosed companies.
"The market has signaled loud and clear that it wants the A3XX, and
this has been recognized by our shareholders, who all fully endorse the
program," said Noël Forgeard, Airbus Industrie Chief Executive Officer.
"We shall now proceed to firm up the announced expressions of interest,
and we have every confidence that the industrial launch will be achieved
at the turn of the year." The current development schedule plans for a
first flight in 2004, with an entry into service occurring in the last
quarter of 2005.
According to the company, the A3XX will offer all the advantages of a
completely new design, responding to just about every foreseeable
requirement of the 21st century, be it in terms of passenger comfort,
operational efficiency, or airworthiness requirements, while retaining
commonality with the company's existing aircraft family. It will also
provide 15-20% lower operating costs than some existing large aircraft,
while offering 10-15% greater range.
Physical assembly of the A3XX will take place at Aerospatiale-Matra's
facility in Toulouse, while interior furnishing and customization will
be the responsibility of DASA in Hamburg. In addition to the final
assembly work and customization, both companies will produce A3XX
fuselage sections, as is done on some other Airbus airliner programs.
BAE Systems will continue to produce the wings, while CASA of Spain
will provide the horizontal stabilizer and other parts. To date, some
ten additional manufacturers have already signed up to participate in
the development and production of the A3XX.
Airbus Industrie partners, the European Aeronautic Defence and Space
Company (EADS) and BAE Systems announced the formation of Airbus
Integrated Co. (AIC). EADS will hold an 80% interest in the company
while BAE Systems will hold the remaining 20% share. Under the terms
of the agreement, the partners will transfer all their Airbus-related
design, engineering, and manufacturing assets located in France,
Germany, Spain, and the UK to the new Airbus company. The new company
will be incorporated in France and employ some 40,000 people throughout
Europe.
Frank Bokulich
Aerospace Engineering August 2000
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