Airbus aims to market new aircraft project
By Kevin Done in London
Financial Times
Published: September 7 2004 03:00 | Last updated: September 7 2004 03:00

Airbus is aiming to begin marketing a new aircraft programme to airlines early next year with the goal of approving the crucial industrial launch by the end of 2005 at the latest.
The project, announced on Monday by Noël Forgeard, Airbus chief executive, will further intensify the already fierce global battle between the Europeans and Boeing.

It comes as the US group is stepping up its campaign to stop European governments channelling billions of dollars of repayable loans in so-called launch aid to Airbus for new aircraft.
Mr Forgeard said that Airbus was working "on various scenarios in close contact with the airlines and the market" but said that it was "premature" to say in which market segment it would develop its next aircraft.
"We are looking at everything," he said, from developing a new aircraft "from scratch" to modifying an existing product.

Speculation has been growing in the aviation industry in recent weeks that Airbus is planning to develop a new middle of the market aircraft in the 200 to 300 passenger category, based on its existing A330-200, as a rival to the 7E7 Dreamliner, being developed by Boeing for entry into service in 2008.
The speculation has gained momentum since Singapore Airlines (SIA) announced two weeks ago, that it had decided for the moment against placing any launch order for the 7E7.

Flight International, a leading aerospace trade magazine, said SIA had deferred its decision on the 7E7, awaiting more details of an Airbus rival.
This would have the A330-200 fuselage but substantial wing modifications and more efficient engines, it said.
SIA said it had been offered the A330-200 and the 7E7 for evaluation, but the proposals had not met its financial criteria. Mr Forgeard's announcement will add fresh urgency to Boeing's efforts to terminate the 1992 agreement between the US and the European Union on the financing of large aircraft development programmes.

Harry Stonecipher, Boeing chief executive, met Patricia Hewitt, UK trade and industry secretary, last week to press the case for ending the 1992 agreement.