Source: Reuters Author: Tim Hepher 12/15/2009
Subject Concerned: Aircraft
European planemaker Airbus congratulated Boeing after its arch-rival completed a maiden flight of the 787 Dreamliner on Dec. 15 and promised "robust" competition from its own lightweight plane.
"Airbus congratulates the people of Boeing on this important achievement in their history," Airbus spokesman Stefan Schaffrath said in comments sent by email.
"The first flight of the 787 underscores the continual advancements in commercial aircraft that come about because of healthy competition. We look forward to a continued robust rivalry with our A350XWB," he said.
The A350 so far exists only on paper and has been outsold by the Boeing 787, but is designed to enter service from 2013.
The two models are fighting over a lucrative new market for mid-sized jets giving fuel savings through composite materials.
Boeing's 787 is due to enter service in late 2010.