Seats Of Power
Business Traveller Middle East|November 2017

With its C Series acquisition, first A330neo taking off and landmark 100th A380 delivery for Emirates this month, Airbus is ending the year on a high.

Dominic Ellis
Seats Of Power

It feels like a return to summer with three days of blue skies over Toulouse, the red and yellow leaves lining the river Garonne providing the only signs we’ve skipped into autumn. Mirroring the favourable weather, Airbus has been basking in its majority ownership announcement in the C Series, providing Bombardier with a brighter outlook after all the uncertainty over the programme and US tariff disputes – and it ended the week seeing off its first A330neo test flight. The European manufacturer will arrive at the Dubai Airshow with a glow this month.

Singularly and collectively, there was much to take in. From aircraft, corporate jet and urban mobility presentations, to campus walkabouts and coach trips encompassing different parts of this vast site – and even a day behind the scenes at Defence and Space learning about the complexity of satellites – the diversity of Airbus’ operation was self-evident. I can’t remember showing my passport so often without leaving the ground, but that was only to be expected in these hardware and data-protecting times.

AIRBUS RAISES SINGLE-AISLE PROFILE

It was a week when what we saw and what we read didn’t always tally. Most of the week saw widebodies in the viewfinder, but single aisles grabbed the limelight with Airbus announcing it will take a majority stake (50.01 percent) in C Series Aircraft Limited Partnership (CSALP) with Bombardier and Investissement Québec owning around 31 percent and 19 percent respectively. The deal aims to complete by the second half of 2018.

CSALP’s HQ and primary assembly line and related functions will remain in Québec with the support of Airbus’ global reach and scale, but Airbus will expand Final Assembly Line in Canada additional C Series production at its Alabama manufacturing site.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM BUSINESS TRAVELLER MIDDLE EASTView all
Onwards and upwards
Business Traveller Middle East

Onwards and upwards

In an exclusive interview with Ian Fairservice for Business Traveller, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and CEO and Founder of the Emirates Group, provides insight into the current and future state of travel and Emirates’ pivotal role in getting the industry back on track

time-read
5 mins  |
July - August 2021
Cleaning up the crisis
Business Traveller Middle East

Cleaning up the crisis

How hotels have risen to the challenge of keeping guests safe during the pandemic

time-read
10 mins  |
May - June 2021
The Great Vegas Meetings Magic Act
Business Traveller Middle East

The Great Vegas Meetings Magic Act

The city is working hard to conjure up events and make millions of visitors reappear

time-read
9 mins  |
May - June 2021
TAKES OFF
Business Traveller Middle East

TAKES OFF

Corporations are seeking new travel solutions that put safety and convenience first

time-read
5 mins  |
May - June 2021
TEE TIME IN TOKYO
Business Traveller Middle East

TEE TIME IN TOKYO

The Tokyo Olympics may be delayed, but the golf courses around Japan’s capital aren’t slowing down

time-read
5 mins  |
May - June 2021
KEYS TO THE KINGDOM
Business Traveller Middle East

KEYS TO THE KINGDOM

New and upcoming hotels to check out when you next visit Saudi Arabia

time-read
10+ mins  |
May - June 2021
QATAR CALLING
Business Traveller Middle East

QATAR CALLING

A swathe of hotels are opening in the Gulf State in the run-up to the 2022 FIFA World Cup

time-read
10 mins  |
March 2021
MEMPHIS CON BRIO
Business Traveller Middle East

MEMPHIS CON BRIO

Music and history flood through the heart and soul of this quintessential American river town

time-read
6 mins  |
March 2021
Sofitel Mumbai BKC
Business Traveller Middle East

Sofitel Mumbai BKC

BACKGROUND Sofitel Mumbai BKC is one of Accor’s most prominent addresses in Mumbai, Maharashtra. The French hospitality group’s other hotels in the city are operated under the Novotel and ibis brands.

time-read
3 mins  |
March 2021
Taking Scotland in Stride
Business Traveller Middle East

Taking Scotland in Stride

A walk through the Highlands and Borders is the best way to touch this country’s history and nature

time-read
5 mins  |
March 2021