Did French prime minister accidentally reveal big Airbus order?

Airbus parent EADS, whose merger talks with BAE Systems leaked to the press in the summer, may find more of its business subject to accidental early disclosure - this time by the French prime minister.

Jean-Marc Ayrault, who has just returned from Singapore and Philippines to help drum up business for French companies, told Airbus workers his trip had highlighted the importance of remaining competitive on world export markets.

But departing from a prepared speech for the opening of a new Airbus factory in southwest France, Ayrault then referred to billions of dollars of plane orders that did not appear to correspond to business already announced from those countries.

"I would like to add that during this trip, Airbus signed an order for 15 aircraft and took options for the A350 and possibly the A380," Ayrault told an audience of 1,000 staff and media.

High Stakes for Airbus in Getting New Jet to Market

Less than two weeks after its parent abandoned a megamerger with BAE Systems, Airbus is set to enter a critical new phase in the development of its newest airplane, the A350, which will come under greater scrutiny as the industry faces a cyclical downturn in new orders and a still-tentative recovery in air travel. 

On Tuesday in Toulouse, France, Airbus plans to hold a formal inauguration of the final assembly line for the A350, a twin-engine wide-body jet that is scheduled to enter commercial service in late 2014. The aircraft will be the first by Airbus to have more than half of its structural components made from lightweight, plastic-based composite materials, rather than aluminum. 

BAE Systems and EADS: Why the deal collapsed

“If I wasn’t a born optimist, I would not have started this project.” So declared Tom Enders earlier this week, in a letter to employees marking his 100th day as EADS chief executive.

Only now has it become clear just how optimistic Enders was being.

Enders the optimist tried to achieve in one month what his predecessors had failed to do in the previous 12 years – resolve the political tensions at the heart of EADS once and for all through a merger with BAE Systems.

He even convinced BAE Systems that he could achieve this. However, even for an optimist, it proved impossible

Enders saw a merger with BAE as a means of facilitating the end of France and Germany’s grasp on EADS.

BAE Systems faces uncertain future after collapse of EADS merger talks

The proposed £30bn merger between BAE Systems and EADS may have collapsed but uncertainty still reigns for Britain’s defence giant.

The proposed £30bn merger between BAE Systems and EADS may have collapsed but uncertainty still reigns for Britain’s defence giant.

The companies’ decision to abandon talks has left many fearful that BAE is now more vulnerable to a takeover bid or a break-up.

The company claimed yesterday that it would carry on as it was before, building up its existing businesses and expanding in its international markets. But that no longer seems to be a luxury the company can afford.

People in Aviation: October 2012

Kurt Edwards, formerly the FAA senior advisor for policy, international aviation, and environment, was named director general of the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC). He replaces Donald Spruston, who is retiring.

Signature Flight Support has appointed Sami Teittinen as CFO. Before this appointment he held the same position for sister company ASIG.

Mike Flint, previously v-p and sales director for corporate aircraft finance with GECapital, has joined CIT Business Aircraft as v-p of U.S. sales.

UK-based private jet charter and per-seat market broker Victor has appointed Stef Slavujevic as head of AOC partner development. Most recently he was v-p of global sales and business development at Flight Focus.