November 23, 2004
Airbus will take plans for a new mid-sized airliner to the board of
parent firm EADS next week and hopes to make an announcement on the
challenger to Boeing's 7E7 by year's end.
Chief Executive Noel Forgeard said he was "reasonably
optimistic" that the proposed A350 model would receive backing,
clearing the way for a showdown between the world's two largest
planemakers in the lucrative niche for aircraft with 200 to 300
seats.
Tipped as a possible EADS co-chief executive next year, Forgeard also
told reporters that the parent firm had not been behind leaked word of a
possible takeover of French defense firm Thales which rocked both shares
last week.
"The campaign of leaks is detrimental to the project if it were to
materialize one day," he said, adding that UK authorities were
angered at not being advised about the matter.
It "triggered big concern on the UK side. It is never good to
antagonize customers. Preliminary contacts should have been taken,"
he said. "It did not come from us, and I think it did not come from
Thales," Forgeard said of the speculation about such a deal.
He said the matter of who holds the co-chief executive position held by
EADS' Philippe Camus after next summer was not yet a high priority.
"It is not an issue at the moment... I have seen hints that the
main shareholders have started to examine what the company might look
like from next July," he said.
A350 MODEL
Airbus marketing chief John Leahy also spoke to reporters in the
southern city of Toulouse on Tuesday about plans for the A350, which
would be based on the existing Airbus A330 but with new engines, a new
wing and greater use of lightweight composites.
"We are looking at the A350 (after) airlines asked if we could
build an A330 that flies longer," Leahy said.
"Will we launch the 350? I hope we do. A lot of airlines are hoping
we do... I hope we have something more to say by the end of the
year."
Irish carrier Aer Lingus is already in talks with Airbus about the
purchase of 12 A350s, German newspaper Handelsblatt said, quoting
company sources.
Airbus and Boeing have been locked in a dogfight for market share for
years, with Airbus set to start delivering its much bigger 555 seat A380
in 2006, two years ahead of the debut of Boeing's 7E7.
Airbus believes airlines want to ease airport congestion by using much
bigger planes such as the four engined A380 to make more use of limited
landing slots.
Boeing thinks the bulk of future demand lies in airlines wanting to fly
passengers on more non-stop routes from more airports, thereby taking
the pressure off busy 'hub' airports.
With this vision in mind, Boeing is developing the 7E7, a twin-engined
plane that will be tuned either for long or short hops, having dropped
plans for a successor to its 747 jumbo jet.
The A350 alongside the A380 would allow Airbus to go after both
markets.
Forgeard has said Airbus could spend around EUR4 billion (USD$5.23
billion) to develop it.
Quoting people familiar with Airbus's plans, the Wall Street Journal
said on Tuesday the latest proposed version of the A350 could cost the
company up to EUR3.5 billion (USD$4.58 billion).
It also said Airbus was set to propose the plane to Airbus shareholders
EADS and BAE Systems in the coming weeks. EADS owns 80 percent of Airbus
and BAE Systems 20 percent.
Boeing is expected to spend about USD$6 billion (USD$7.85 billion) on
the 7E7, excluding the money that suppliers are investing as risk
partners in developing engines, landing gear and other systems.
Forgeard reiterated that Airbus would apply for refundable development
loans from European governments if the A350 project was approved,
broaching a subject that has drawn stepped-up criticism from both Boeing
and US trade officials in recent months.
Boeing estimates demand at 3,500 planes in the mid-sized sector over the
next 20 years while Airbus has said its sees demand for 1,500 planes at
the very large A380 end of the market.
A380 DEALS
Airbus' Leahy told reporters that Airbus hoped to conclude a deal with
Thailand to sell it six A380s this week.
But Thailand's government said earlier on Tuesday that it would delay
buying Airbus aircraft worth more than USD$2 billion until the European
Union eases food import restrictions.
Leahy also said Airbus expected to sign a contract in the next few weeks
with Gulf-based Etihad Airways for four A380s in a deal expected to
involve at least some of the four prototype aircraft currently being
assembled for testing.
(Reuters)
desolé pour le cop coll en anglais Guy, mais il certains que le
projet a l'origine battait de l'aile, donc de notoriété
que c'etait un tas de boue, je laisse les fortiches en anglais confirmer
mes dires,ou infirmer, car la je ne suis pas certains d'avoir tout
compris dans la lecture entre les lignes, donc Guy Sous reserve de bonne
traduction et de comprehension de ma part, content de te revoir
actif.
Néamoins j'aimerais qu'on aborde le problemes des stocks options,
qui lors d'une chute de l'action spectaculaire devraient directement
revenir a l'entreprise de maniere a compenser ses pertes, un petit
article obligeant le pdg a ceder ses stock option a l'entreprise devrait
etre a mentionner sur le contrat ainsi que toute prime de depart en
fonction du resultat de l'entreprise, non pas en valeur d'action mais
sur la valeur du patrimoine de l'entreprises masse salariale comprise
hors cadres sup.
grosso modo cela donnerait pas de benenfice pas de primes
baisse de masse salariale pas de prime
baisse de valeur patrimoniale pas de prime
baisse de la valeur de l'action pas de prime
tu vas voir que ces types vont un peu moins jouer au golf
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