Airbus plc plan still on track
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Ministers from the four countries involved in the Airbus consortium yesterday pledged to stick to the timetable to turn the plane-maker into a fully fledged company by 1999, despite fears the process had become stalled.
Emerging from the meeting at the Paris airshow yesterday, Margaret Beckett, President of the Board of Trade, said she was "cautiously optimistic" about the plan, but urged those involved to adopt a sense of urgency.
Mrs Beckett said the ministers had backed the memorandum of understanding signed in January, which said the new company would include assets from partner companies which include British Aerospace and Dasa of Germany. "The situation is on the way to being resolved. It's not resolved as of now but they are committed to resolving it. The final deadline of 1991 is still the final deadline," said Mrs Beckett.
Reports recently suggested Yves Michot, head of Aerospatiale of France, had said the partner companies had agreed not to include assets in the venture, leaving the Airbus company as little more than a marketing organisation. Mrs Beckett said these comments had been described as "a misunderstanding" in the meeting.
The French Communist transport minister, who chaired the meeting, gave no hint about his new government's commitment to privatising Aerospatiale, a move seen as an essential first step to creating an Airbus company.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments