Airbus still expects to receive government launch aid for its new A350 jet, the company said today less than 24 hours after the EU and US agreed to reopen negotiations on eliminating aircraft subsidies.

European planemaking company Airbus kept its position as number one aircraft manufacturer last year, official figures out today confirmed.

The owners of Airbus SAS approved the launch of a new A350 passenger jet today to rival Boeing’s 7E7, a spokesman for Airbus parent EADS said.

Planemaker Airbus has won a Chinese order for 20 of its A330 widebody jets, Airbus parent EADS said on Friday.

AIRBUS SAS and Boeing Co, the world’s two biggest planemakers, won orders from Emirates, the Middle East’s fastest-growing airline, for 67 new planes, which the carrier valued at as much as $19 billion.

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

Planemaker Airbus today appeared to be victorious in its battle with rival Boeing for a major aircraft order from budget airline easyJet.

European planemaker Airbus today said the world’s airlines were recovering from the September 11 crisis.

European aircraft maker Airbus plans to cut 500 jobs in Britain.

Europe’s Airbus Industries set up a subsidiary in Japan today to promote a planned double-decker super jumbo jet and to challenge the dominance of US rival Boeing in the Japanese market.

European aircraft maker Airbus said today it had received firm orders for 520 planes in 2000, further closing the gap on its arch-rival Boeing.