UK’s Serious Fraud Office probes Airbus sales

A criminal investigation into Airbus Group’s practices in selling planes and arranging financing overseas will seek to shed light on the use of third parties who are often critical in closing deals.

The inquiry the UK’s Serious Fraud Office said it opened in July and could run for years.

While Airbus may not feel the short-term impact, given it has dropped the questionable middlemen and expects suspended financing guarantees to be restored, an unfavourable outcome could result in fines and damage the company’s reputation.