EADS close to securing A350 'launch aid', sticking to A350 schedule

EADS CEO, Louis Gallois, confirmed the company is in the process of agreeing to reimbursable loans, known as launch aid, with several European countries to help development of the A350 XWB programme (Reuters, 02-Jun-2010). Mr Gallois also stated that the company is sticking to the production and delivery schedule for the A350 "for the time being". The manufacturer is scheduled to conduct the first flight at the end of 2012 with deliveries starting in 2013.