Term we could reduce our development sites at least 40

Redesigning of Airbus A350 program, yesterday by the leadership of EADS at the opening of the exhibition in Berlin confirmed implicitly, prefigures a transformation in depth of the European aircraft manufacturer. Recognizing that "errors" have been made in the definition of the aircraft, "designed for a limited budget for a rapid return on investment", Noël Forgeard, the Executive Co-Chairman of EADS, the parent company of Airbus, has announced the development of a new version of the long-haul jet appointed under the code name "A370" which will be unveiled at the latest, in early July before the Farnborough show, for commissioning in 2012.

The green light from the Board of directors should take place next week. The new A350 to expanded diameter ("Les Echos" on May 15, 2006) which could be renamed would resume the leadership to the Boeing 787 in a market of 6,000 units from 2010 to 2030, a cost less than the doubly mentioned in the initial budget (EUR 4.25 million). Executive Co-Chair goes further in the questioning of its main subsidiary, victim, according to him, a "crisis of growth".

"A revolution is underway at Airbus, which is not completed, said Noël Forgeard.". We must evolve, to better take into account developments in the sector. "For ce, it needs to refocus on its core business, the design of the system, outsourcing as much as possible manufacturing:" we should be out as much as possible of aerostructures, doing more appeal to our partners. " It is an industrial revolution, to which we are going to do this without delay. Term, we could reduce our development sites at least 40.

The effects of this movement should show first signs 2009-2010. "It will not be completed before 2014 and will mainly concern the successor of the A320," said Noël Forgeard. The future A350 will also concerned. An important part of the program will be contracted to the French, Chinese, Russian, partners who will take an increasing share in the manufacture of other models.

At the Berlin trade fair, an agreement with the Russian Irkut and was signed for the installation of a site for the conversion of A320 version cargo, near Moscow, in early 2010. It should be accompanied by an imminent order for 22 A350 by Aeroflot. In addition, here in late may, Airbus could announce the site chosen for the future chain of assembling A320 in China, whose production would start "as early as 2008. These partnerships should allow Airbus to identify the resources needed to redesign the A350, as well as the successor of the A320.

Side financing, the European aircraft manufacturer can count on the support of the four founding European States. Investors in no less showed their concerns before the cost of the program of the A350, the title EADS ending yesterday at the Paris stock exchange in strong decline of 5.59, to EUR 27,72. In addition, the United States yesterday indicated that an increase in aid for the launch of the A350 would be detrimental to the ongoing discussions with the Europeans.