Airbus Industrie director general Noel Forgeard says eight airlines have placed letters of interest for more than 60 A3XX ultra-large airliners, while "serious" negotiations are under way with a further three carriers.
Forgeard says a third of the airlines are cargo carriers, although none have yet been named. FedEx is known to be discussing a significant order for the cargo version, which will be developed in parallel with the passenger aircraft and be available two years later, in 2007.
Leasing company International Lease Finance and carriers Air France, Emirates, Singapore Airlines and Virgin Atlantic have publicly declared their interest in the airliner.
In an interview with Le Monde newspaper on 14 June, Forgeard claims talks between BAE Systems and EADS on the future shape of the Airbus integrated company are "going well".
The commercial launch has been subject to several embarrassing delays recently, but Forgeard says: "There is no reason to delay further. From now on, Airbus' credibility as well as my own is at stake."
Assembly workshare is believed to have been the main sticking point holding up the launch. The Airbus partners have agreed that the A3XX will be assembled in Toulouse and that the aircraft will be flown to Hamburg for cabin furnishing. Germany also wants a third assembly line at Hamburg for single-aisle aircraft and a commitment that it will eventually take over production of the A320 line, giving it sole responsibility for all single-aisle production.
Source: Flight International
