Airbus has unveiled a possible huge order for its planned new eco-conscious A320neo jet – a deal the European aircraft manufacturer is calling the largest in aviation history.

The US has appealed against its own victory in a landmark trade ruling against European subsidies for plane maker Airbus.

The European Union will appeal today against a landmark trade ruling that found it gave plane maker Airbus a wide range of illegal subsidies in its battle with US competitor Boeing.

The World Trade Organisation said Britain and other European countries gave billions to Airbus in illegal subsidies, in a trade dispute ruling that backed its rival, US aviation giant Boeing.

Boeing and Airbus expect to find out tomorrow who has won the first round of their epic trade dispute.

A BURST of last-minute automatic messages sent by Air France Flight 447 includes one about a problem with a rudder safety device, but that does not explain what sent the jet plunging into the Atlantic Ocean, an aviation expert said.

Mechanical failure did not contribute to last month’s crash of an Airbus A320 in Sao Paulo, a senior executive with the aircraft manufacturer said.

The curtain has been raised on the first fully assembled Boeing 787 Dreamliner jet to an audience of thousands in the company’s plant in the US.

Aircraft manufacturer Airbus boosted its flagging spirits this week after unveiling record orders at the Paris air show.

A double-decker superjumbo A380 passenger jet will take its first flight to the US today.

Workers at Airbus plants in France, Germany and Spain planned strikes and demonstrations today to protest against the aircraft maker’s plans to close plants and cut 10,000 jobs, including 1,600 in the UK.

Financially-troubled European aeroplane manufacturer Airbus has stopped work on the freight version of its new A380 superjumbo, a spokesman for its parent company said today.

Stocks in the United States rebounded today with the Dow Jones industrial average climbing more than 110 points.

Airbus announced a record number of jet orders for 2005, unexpectedly beating Boeing’s tally for a fifth straight year. But the European plane maker fell behind its rival on order value as sales of its larger planes failed to keep pace. Airbus announced a review of its long-range A340 airliner in the wake of disappointing orders.

Europe and the US moved closer to a world trade showdown over plane subsidies, as Airbus said it had received “legally binding” government funding pledges for its newly-launched A350 jet programme.

European aircraft maker Airbus today named Barry Eccleston as the new head of Airbus North America Holdings, its US subsidiary.

The Airbus’ A380, the world’s largest passenger plane, took off successfully on its maiden flight today, a milestone for aviation and for the European aircraft-maker’s battle with American rival Boeing.

Concorde is to be retired from service at the end of October 2003, British Airways officially announced today.

Boeing's planned Sonic Cruiser will nudge the speed of sound but be just as fuel efficient as slower planes on similar routes - meaning passengers can reach places faster without paying more.

Airbus has started production of its 555-seat superjumbo airliner that is scheduled to enter service in 2006 as the world’s largest passenger jet.