Posted on 05/06/2006 1:20:07 PM PDT by Icelander
MOSCOW (AFP) - Russian flagship airline Aeroflot is to buy planes from Europe's Airbus instead of US-based Boeing, in apparent retaliation for US opposition to Moscow joining the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
"This is a clear signal to the United States not to put too much pressure on Russia in WTO talks otherwise many lucrative contracts and privileges could go to the Europeans," Yaroslav Lissovolik -- an analyst from the Deutsche UFG investment house -- told Saturday's edition of the Vedomosti business newspaper.
In December 2005, Vedomosti had said Aeroflot was considering buying 22 Boeing 787s, known as "Dreamliners".
But on Saturday it reported an anonymous official in Russia's presidential administration as saying that Aeroflot's board of directors had last month "decided that Aeroflot should buy the Airbus-350 liners".
Vedomosti estimated the cost of an Airbus deal at three billion dollars (2.36 billion euros).
But Aeroflot said it was too early to talk about the results of the tender since no contract had been signed.
"The results of the tender will be announced when we sign the contract. We haven't done that yet," airline spokeswoman Irina Dannenberg said.
"For some time, Boeing was preferred. Now we are looking at offers from Airbus. We haven't chosen the planes yet," she added.
Lev Koshlyakov, Aeroflot's deputy chief executive, was quoted by Interfax news agency on Saturday as saying: "The main shareholder -- the state -- has the last word and there has been no instruction from the state to the company."
The Russian government holds a 51-percent stake in Aeroflot.
Vedomosti said Aeroflot had delayed announcing its decision after an Airbus A320 passenger jet belonging to Armenia's Armavia airline plunged into the Black Sea on Wednesday, killing all 113 people on board.
Moscow has already signed a bilateral agreement with the European Union to pave the way for it to join the WTO but it has yet to clinch such an agreement with the United States.
Washington has expressed concern over software, music and video piracy in Russia, as well as agricultural subsidies, import tariffs and rules on the establishment of foreign banks.
Thats total horse crap. Airbus is totally subsidized by the EU and aren't afraid to admit it. Last year they went after Boeing because they also turn out stuff for the military and the EU said that was subsidizing Boeing.
Sorry, being sarcastic due to the rediculous post. Your good.
""This is a clear signal to the United States not to put too much pressure on Russia in WTO talks otherwise many lucrative contracts and privileges could go to the Europeans," Yaroslav Lissovolik -- an analyst from the Deutsche UFG investment house -- told Saturday's edition of the Vedomosti business newspaper."
Hey bucko, good luck on future spare parts service after the Francy folk become Mud Slime. Just a tiny amount of bucks at risk, eh wot?
As for subsudies, check out the Japanese subsudies for the 787... completely illegal under the WTO.
I'm sure there's billions in foreign aid from the E.U. promised to Russia as part of this deal.
The Boeing 777 is also fly-by-wire and also features flight envelope protection... what is the big deal?
You are a euro schlong smoker are'nt you?
thank you for your invaluable contribution,
I wonder which Russian official was bribed by Airbus?
see paper at www.iagportal.com on whether Airbus can ctach up with Boeing.
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