EADS N.V. - EADS sees A380 first flight as a take-off into a new era

EADS regards the successful first flight of the Airbus A380 as a take-off into a new era of commercial aviation and into further growth of the company.

"The A380 sums up what we have been working towards at EADS since the company’s formation five years ago", the EADS CEOs Philippe Camus and Rainer Hertrich said. "Our A380 combines the best technology and the best manufacturing in the world with a design which our customers have largely shaped themselves. Airbus has created something that is both marvellous for today, and will also be an aerospace icon for decades to come."

"Already leading the global market in commercial aviation, Airbus now has a comprehensive portfolio of aircraft able to carry between 104 and 555 passengers. With today's historic first flight, our A380 takes its place as the flagship of the Airbus fleet, offering passengers and airlines around the world unequalled quality, comfort and economy. For EADS, the door is now wide open to become a company with annual revenues of € 40 billion in the near future", EADS CEOs Philippe Camus and Rainer Hertrich said.

The CEOs underlined that "our A380 programme is also the most visible result of the successful integration of our industry in Europe. The successful EADS merger allowed for the industrial integration of Airbus and created the technology base, financial clout and market appreciation required to pursue such an ambitious and strong investment."

The strong order book for the A380 already stands at 154 aircraft, demonstrating that the aircraft will be the driver of growth of Airbus and EADS for many years to come. The test flight programme and certification process is expected to continue over the next months prior to the first commercial deliveries and flights in 2006.

Camus and Hertrich commented: “We would like to thank the Flight Crew for their outstanding achievement. Like other historic ventures the success of our A380 programme depended on the combined efforts of thousands of talented people inside and outside of Airbus, not just in Europe but internationally. Under the leadership of Noel Forgeard and Gustav Humbert, teams from all over the world have been working towards this day for many years and we would like to thank each and every one of them for their outstanding contribution. From the creation of Airbus in 1967, through the successive launches of the entire Airbus family of aircraft to the formation of EADS in 2000 there have been many steps along the way to today’s achievement. All those involved can be very proud today."

EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2004, EADS generated revenues of € 31.8 billion and employed a workforce of about 110,000. The EADS Group includes the aircraft manufacturer Airbus, the world's largest helicopter supplier Eurocopter and the joint venture MBDA, the international leader in missile systems. EADS is the major partner in the Eurofighter consortium, is the prime contractor for the Ariane launcher, develops the A400M military transport aircraft and is the largest industrial partner for the European satellite navigation system Galileo.

EADS sees A380 first flight as a take-off into a new era

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