Design World

  • Home
  • Technologies
    • ELECTRONICS • ELECTRICAL
    • Fastening • joining
    • FLUID POWER
    • LINEAR MOTION
    • MOTION CONTROL
    • SENSORS
    • TEST & MEASUREMENT
    • Factory automation
    • Warehouse automation
    • DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
  • Learn
    • Tech Toolboxes
    • Learning center
    • eBooks • Tech Tips
    • Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Webinars • general engineering
    • Webinars • Automated warehousing
    • Voices
  • LEAP Awards
  • 2025 Leadership
    • 2024 Winners
    • 2023 Winners
    • 2022 Winners
    • 2021 Winners
  • Design Guides
  • Resources
    • Subscribe
    • 3D Cad Models
      • PARTsolutions
      • TraceParts
    • Digital Issues
      • Design World
      • EE World
    • Engineering diversity
    • Trends
  • Supplier Listings
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe

Institution, International (Foreign) Trade, Design And Engineering, Aerospace, Business

By The Associated Press | August 14, 2009

LONDON — The British government pledged 340 million pounds (US$562 million) to Airbus on Friday to help develop its A350 XWB aircraft — significantly less than the funding already committed by France and Germany.

Business Secretary Peter Mandelson said the British support for the building of Airbus’ new carbon-fiber wide-body aircraft will create more than 1,200 direct jobs and another 5,000 jobs across the supply chain in Britain.

The British, French, German and Spanish governments have traditionally supported new Airbus jet programs via repayable launch funding — with the amount of work allocated to each in return dependent on their contribution.

Rival planemaker Boeing Co. and the U.S. government have both objected to the arrangement, claiming it breaches world trade laws.

At the Paris Air Show in June, France said it would provide funding of euro1.4 billion ($1.94 billion) while Germany pledged up to euro1.1 billion ($1.52 billion). Spain has not announced a commitment.

Britain has in the past received around 20 per cent of the work on a new Airbus jet, specializing in the design and manufacture of wings.

Mandelson said on Friday that the funding will help Britain to strengthen its position as a world leader in wing, landing gear and fuel integration systems technologies and ensure it plays a leading role in the development of the A350 XWB.

Airbus has designed the aircraft to compete with Boeing Co.’s forthcoming 787. Both models are more fuel-efficient than aircraft flying today thanks to a greater use of lightweight composite carbon materials.

Airbus CEO Tom Enders confirmed in June that the development costs of the program would be around euro11 billion, of which 30 to 33 per cent could be financed by reimbursable loans from European governments.

“This agreement is further evidence of this government’s long-term commitment to the U.K. aerospace industry and its future success,” Mandelson said as he toured the Airbus U.K. plant in Filton, in southwest England.

The Society of British Aerospace Companies welcomed the funding announcement, saying the A350 XWB program is extremely important for the future of the domestic industry.

“The significant technological advances of the composite materials being used means that the importance of the A350 program in developing the skills and technology for the future sustainability of the U.K. aerospace industry cannot be exaggerated,” said SBAC chief executive Ian Godden.

Boeing Co. and the U.S. government have criticized Airbus for seeking state launch aid for the A350, suggesting such financing violates World Trade Organization rules and that EU subsidies have enabled Airbus to capture Boeing customers.

President Barack Obama’s trade chief Ron Kirk said in June that the United States would respond “quickly and swiftly” if European nations agreed to subsidize the Airbus A350 jet program.

Kirk said he was “reasonably hopeful” of a ruling from the WTO panel on its existing U.S. complaint against Airbus “as early as the end of August.”

The EU counters that Boeing receives U.S. federal and state tax breaks, development funding and grants, as well as large amounts of military contracts.

You Might Also Like


Filed Under: Aerospace + defense

 

LEARNING CENTER

Design World Learning Center
“dw
EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND STAY CONNECTED
Get the latest info on technologies, tools and strategies for Design Engineering Professionals.
Motor University

Design World Digital Edition

cover

Browse the most current issue of Design World and back issues in an easy to use high quality format. Clip, share and download with the leading design engineering magazine today.

EDABoard the Forum for Electronics

Top global problem solving EE forum covering Microcontrollers, DSP, Networking, Analog and Digital Design, RF, Power Electronics, PCB Routing and much more

EDABoard: Forum for electronics

Sponsored Content

  • Sustainability, Innovation and Safety, Central to Our Approach
  • Why off-highway is the sweet spot for AC electrification technology
  • Looking to 2025: Past Success Guides Future Achievements
  • North American Companies Seek Stronger Ties with Italian OEMs
  • Adapt and Evolve
  • Sustainable Practices for a Sustainable World
View More >>
Engineering Exchange

The Engineering Exchange is a global educational networking community for engineers.

Connect, share, and learn today »

Design World
  • About us
  • Contact
  • Manage your Design World Subscription
  • Subscribe
  • Design World Digital Network
  • Control Engineering
  • Consulting-Specifying Engineer
  • Plant Engineering
  • Engineering White Papers
  • Leap Awards

Copyright © 2025 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy | Advertising | About Us

Search Design World

  • Home
  • Technologies
    • ELECTRONICS • ELECTRICAL
    • Fastening • joining
    • FLUID POWER
    • LINEAR MOTION
    • MOTION CONTROL
    • SENSORS
    • TEST & MEASUREMENT
    • Factory automation
    • Warehouse automation
    • DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
  • Learn
    • Tech Toolboxes
    • Learning center
    • eBooks • Tech Tips
    • Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Webinars • general engineering
    • Webinars • Automated warehousing
    • Voices
  • LEAP Awards
  • 2025 Leadership
    • 2024 Winners
    • 2023 Winners
    • 2022 Winners
    • 2021 Winners
  • Design Guides
  • Resources
    • Subscribe
    • 3D Cad Models
      • PARTsolutions
      • TraceParts
    • Digital Issues
      • Design World
      • EE World
    • Engineering diversity
    • Trends
  • Supplier Listings
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
We use cookies to personalize content and ads, to provide social media features, and to analyze our traffic. We share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising, and analytics partners who may combine it with other information you’ve provided to them or that they’ve collected from your use of their services. You consent to our cookies if you continue to use this website.OkNoRead more