Airbus

May 14, 2008 -- Kansas Lieutenant Governor Mark Parkinson is voicing his concern with the Air Force’s decision to outsource American military tankers to French-based Airbus.

“There are simply too many questions related to economic impact, national security, construction costs, mission capabilities and above all, the integrity of the Air Force’s selection process, to allow this decision to go unchallenged,” Parkinson said. “The Air Force’s decision to send a $35 billion contract - the second largest in U.S. history - and 19,000 jobs to Europe is not only bad for American workers, but a threat to our long-term national security.”    » read more »

Adds Schedule Margin to Reduce Risk of Further Delays

EVERETT, Wash., April 09, 2008 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced a revised plan for first flight and initial deliveries of the 787 Dreamliner that includes additional schedule margin to reduce risk of further delays on the program.

Boeing 787 Dreamliner: Photo courtesy of The Boeing Company    » read more »

March 19, 2008 -- EVERETT – Washington Governor Chris Gregoire delivered the following statement to a rally of Boeing workers this afternoon in Everett.

“As a kid growing up in Auburn, I already knew you were the men and women who made those great airplanes I saw up in the sky, the best airplanes in the world. Two weeks ago I was truly shocked that the U.S. Department of Defense apparently doesn’t know that.

“I couldn’t believe, and still can’t believe, that our own federal government decided to ship thousands of jobs overseas.

“We hope to learn — and we are learning — how the Air Force could mistakenly decide to turn its back on Boeing.    » read more »

March 10, 2008 -- OLYMPIA – Washington Governor Chris Gregoire’s today issued the following statement on Boeing’s appeal of the tanker contract:

“I fully support the Boeing Company’s decision today to formally protest the Air Force contract awarded to Airbus and Northrop Grumman.    » read more »

Condemns McCain's Lobbying; Calls on Congress to Defund

March 4, 2008 -- PITTSBURGH - The United Steelworkers (USW) today denounced the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) for awarding a contract for the construction of Air Force refueling tankers to the European firm, Airbus, and called for its defunding. The contract is worth up to $100 billion, with its value rising to $408 billion over its lifetime. The USW also decried Sen. John McCain for his role in lobbying the DOD on behalf of the French corporation.    » read more »

March 5, 2008 - WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Congressman John P. Murtha, Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, issued the following statement before today’s open hearing on the Air Force contract award for the tanker replacement program with Ms. Sue Payton, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition and LTG John “Jack” Hudson, ASC Commander and Program Executive Officer:

“This committee has done everything it could to speed up the decision by the Air Force to put tankers in the Air Force arsenal.    » read more »

04 March 2008 -- The speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives has promised an investigation of a contract to build new airborne tanker planes won by a partnership that includes the European parent of Airbus.

Representative Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, said Monday the deal posed serious questions that Congress must examine thoroughly.

Last week, the U.S. Air Force awarded a $35-billion contract to build 179 new tanker planes to a partnership between the European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company and U.S. defense contractor Northrop Grumman.    » read more »

January 14, 2008 -- Mobile, Alabama; Arlington, Virginia, January 14, 2008 – EADS will co-locate the production of the Northrop Grumman KC-30 Tanker platform and the Airbus A330 civilian freighter aircraft at its Mobile, Alabama aerospace center of excellence, resulting in a robust final assembly line that ensures low risk, high efficiency and increased capacity for both military and commercial customers.    » read more »

12 November 2007 -- One of the world's richest men is buying the world's largest airliner as a sort of private yacht.

Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal is buying a new, huge Airbus A-380, which has about 500 square meters of floor space on two decks and can cram up to 800 people into economy seats.

The prince is listed by Forbes magazine as the 13th richest person in the world, and already owns one of the few Boeing 747's in private hands.    » read more »

20 June 2007 -- The 47th International Paris Air Show is running this week. It is a showcase of aviation and aerospace technology. This is big, big business with more than 2,000 exhibitors from 42 countries.    » read more »