Airbus at LIMA 2003

Having obtained almost 240 new aircraft orders during the first eight months of the year, Airbus comes to the LIMA Airshow (30th September – 5th October) in Langkawi, Malaysia with a positive outlook despite the challenges currently faced by the air transport industry. The very large A380 double-decker development is on schedule, with firm orders and commitments for the aircraft having grown to 129 from 11 customers during 2003. Customers from the Asia-Pacific region include Korean Air, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas Airways and Singapore Airlines.

Following the successful entry into service of the latest generation A340-600 in 2002, the first deliveries of the ultra long range A340-500 to an Asian customer are scheduled before the end of 2003. Another Airbus achievement this year is the certification of the A318, the latest and smallest aircraft of Airbus’ successful Single Aisle Family. With the delivery of the first A320 to Air New Zealand earlier this month, the number of Airbus aircraft in service with airlines in the Asia Pacific region reached almost 550 with 41 operators.

Throughout the LIMA Airshow, Airbus will have a major display of its products on the main EADS stand (B171 – Hall B), including models of the A380, A330 and A320.

Airbus will hold a press conference in Hall B – Meeting room B at 10.30am on Wednesday, 1st October. At 14.00 on the same day, Airbus will participate in an "On Board the A380" event in co-operation with Composite Technology Resources Malaysia (CTRM). This ceremony will officially mark the delivery of the first set of A380 wing components under an agreement that was reached between Airbus and CTRM in October 2002.

Airbus is a leading aircraft manufacturer with the most modern and comprehensive family of airliners on the market, ranging in capacity from 100 to more than 500 seats. Airbus has delivered almost 3,300 aircraft to 185 customers world-wide, and boasts a healthy order book of more than 1,500 aircraft for delivery in the coming years. Airbus is a global company with design and manufacturing facilities in France, Germany, the UK, and Spain as well as subsidiaries in the U.S., China and Japan. Headquartered in Toulouse, France, Airbus is a joint EADS Company with BAE SYSTEMS.

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