The delay on the full launch of the Airbus A340-500/600 programme is not because of a shortage of orders, but because of the British government.
The news came as Egyptair yesterday signed up for two A340-600s and took options on two more, with more orders from other carriers expected within days.
The hold-up is with the UK Treasury which has still not approved the government investment of $200 million for British Aerospace's (BAe) part of the programme.
What is puzzling the industry at Dubai '97 is that Rolls-Royce secured $340 million of similar funding just days ago for new versions of the Trent engine needed on the same programme.
Despite the hold-up, knowledgeable sources believe that approval will come and that the full launch could happen within days.
"I can only speculate as to the reasons," says director-general David Marshall of the Society of British Aerospace Companies, "but I certainly hope that whatever happens it doesn't significantly delay the programme, because we have now got the UK into a position in Airbus we could not have dreamed of a few years ago.
"If we want to be in commercial aerospace, this programme is damned important to us. It's hugely important it goes ahead. I think it will be resolved and fairly quickly."
A spokesman for BAe says: "We want to hear from the UK government as soon as possible as funding is critical to the project."
The A340-500 is a long range version of the A340 with a 313-passenger capacity in three classes.
The A340-600 is an extended version capable of carrying 378 passengers.
The delay on the full launch of the Airbus A340-500/600 programme is not because of a shortage of orders, but because of the British government.
The news came as Egyptair yesterday signed up for two A340-600s and took options on two more, with more orders from other carriers expected within days.
The hold-up is with the UK Treasury which has still not approved the government investment of $200 million for British Aerospace's (BAe) part of the programme.
What is puzzling the industry at Dubai '97 is that Rolls-Royce secured $340 million of similar funding just days ago for new versions of the Trent engine needed on the same programme.
Despite the hold-up, knowledgeable sources believe that approval will come and that the full launch could happen within days.
"I can only speculate as to the reasons," says director-general David Marshall of the Society of British Aerospace Companies, "but I certainly hope that whatever happens it doesn't significantly delay the programme, because we have now got the UK into a position in Airbus we could not have dreamed of a few years ago.
"If we want to be in commercial aerospace, this programme is damned important to us. It's hugely important it goes ahead. I think it will be resolved and fairly quickly."
A spokesman for BAe says: "We want to hear from the UK government as soon as possible as funding is critical to the project."
The A340-500 is a long range version of the A340 with a 313-passenger capacity in three classes.
The A340-600 is an extended version capable of carrying 378 passengers.
Source: Flight Daily News
