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Airbus announces launch of A3XX super-jumbo jet

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Artist rendition of the future Airbus A3XX super jumbo. The commercial launch of the A3XX is expected to be announced in Paris Friday June 23, 2000 during a press conference, as well as the change of the European consortium Airbus Industries into a private company owned by EADS (European Aeronautic Defense and Space Co.) and by British company BAE system PLC.(AP PHOTO/Airbus Industries)

June 24, 2000  

PARIS, (AP) - Airbus Industries announced Friday the launch of the long-awaited A3XX double-decker jumbo jet that can carry 555 people, creating a classy and powerful new competitor to Boeing's long-haul aircraft.

The four-nation European consortium also announced its conversion into a corporation, to be called Airbus Integrated Company. 

Airbus is betting that, in increasingly crowded skies, airline companies will want to be able to pack as many people in their planes as possible and that customers will be attracted by the extra space and comfort available.

The projects presents a major challenge to U.S.-based Boeing, which says there is no market for such a large plane and has decided to modernize its trustworthy 747 family of planes rather than seek to build its own new megaseater.

The European Aeronautics Defense and Space Company - formed last year from a merger of France's Aerospatiale Matra, Germany's DaimlerChrysler Aerospace and Spain's Casa - will hold 80 percent of Airbus Integrated Company. Britain's BAE Systems will hold the remaining 20 percent.