Airbus launches super jumbo

The A3XX, which is scheduled to be launched formally by the end of the year once Airbus has signed firm contracts with airlines, is designed to end arch-rival Boeing’s monopoly of the large aircraft market. The long-distance plane will be able to fly 15,000 km non-stop, travelling from Sydney to Los Angeles without needing to refuel.

"Construction will be launched at the end of the year 2000. We already have very very good indications…we already have close to eight airline companies interested and more than 50 planes practically ordered," Camus said in an interview with France 2 television. "The first delivery will be at the end of 2005… the first passengers will be able to use the 3XX at the end of 2005."

He said the launch of the new plane would involve 160,000 workers in Europe, creating an estimated 40,000 to 50,000 new jobs. The transformation of Airbus into what will be called the Airbus Integrated Company (AIC) is expected to create annual cost savings of roughly 350 million euros by 2004, making the group a more efficient competitor.

The merger of three of the Toulouse-based consortium’s four members — Aerospatiale Matra, DaimlerChrysler Aerospace and Spain’s Casa — to form the European Aeronautics, Defence and Space Company (EADS) paved the way for both announcements.

After months of talks EADS, which starts a public share offering on Friday and lists on the Paris and Frankfurt stock markets on July 10, struck a deal with 20 percent Airbus shareholder BAE Systems Plc to bring Airbus under the EADS umbrella.

Under the deal, BAE will retain its stake and have a say in strategic decisions. Physical assembly of the A3XX will take place in Toulouse, France, while interior furnishing and customisation will be done in Hamburg.