Airbus talks on site sales may end -paper
May 3rd, 2008 | by admin |FRANKFURT, May 3 (Reuters) - European aircraft maker Airbus(EAD.PA: Quote, Profile, Research) may run into further problems on selling some of itsfactory sites and be forced to delay some deliveries on its A380superjumbo, according to German media reports.
The divestment of French plants Meaulte/St Nazaire Ville toaerospace firm Latecoere (LAEP.PA: Quote, Profile, Research) may be terminated asfinancing the deal could be difficult in current marketconditions, German daily Die Welt reported on Saturday quotingAirbus Chief Operating Officer Fabrice Bregier.
“The economic environment combined with tension in thefinancial markets and the alarming decline of the dollarcompared to the euro exist for Latecoere too,” Bregier said.
A decision will be taken in May, the paper quoted Bregier assaying.
Latecoere is in exclusive negotiations to buy control of twoAirbus factories at Meaulte and Saint-Nazaire as part of theplanemaker’s restructuring plans.
Die Welt and German business magazine WirtschaftsWoche alsosaid Airbus may have to delay deliveries of its A380 superjumbo,the world’s largest airliner.
Die Welt said Airbus was examining its delivery plan whileWirtschaftsWoche said, citing an insider, the company would notbe able to meet its target of delivering 25 planes in 2009 dueto mounting production problems.
The magazine said Airbus had already informed customers ofthe delay in a letter.
(Reporting by Nicola Leske)
