Airbus Group has airplane orders slumped in the first quarter, but profits rose and it hopes to put its A350 long-range jet into service by the end of the year.

Airbus Group says airplane orders slumped in the first quarter, but profits rose and it hopes to put its A350 long-range jet into service by the end of the year.

Defence giant BAE Systems is reportedly facing a growing investor revolt over its plans to merge with European rival EADS due to a lack of detail on the deal.

A potential multibillion euro merger between defence giant BAE Systems and Airbus aircraft manufacturer EADS has come under further pressure after a major shareholder demanded a better deal.

The leaders of France and Germany will seek a common position at a series of meetings this week on a €34.5bn defence merger that could involve them having to give up strategic influence in aerospace group EADS.

European Aeronautic, Defense and Space, the parent of Airbus SAS, is in negotiations with BAE Systems about a merger.

EUROPE’S safety authorities have ordered urgent inspections on one-third of the Airbus A380 fleet after the discovery of wing cracks on the world’s largest jetliner.

AIRCRAFT manufacturer Airbus has said that demand for its new aircraft will likely drop by more than 50% this year as an initial flurry of A320neo purchases wanes.

Planemaker Airbus slumped into the red today as the impact of delays on the A380 superjumbo were revealed by its parent company, EADS.

The European parent of the maker of Airbus aircraft is considering manufacturing some planes in China, but a top executive said today that the company will not make a final decision until summer.