EADS head says helicopter cracks not comparable to A380 woes

European aerospace giant EADS said on Friday that weakness of the dollar had tipped it into a net loss in the first quarter but stood by its targets for the year.EADS said its aircraft subsidiary Airbus expected to increase production, pulled by growth in the global airline market.EADS reported that it made a net loss of 12.0 million euros ($17.0 million) compared to a profit of 103 million euros in the first quarter of last year.The European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company said that the outcome reflected variations in the value of the dollar.

European aerospace giant EADS is "working hard" to understand what is needed to bid as the prime contractor for a US military contract for aerial refueling tankers, a spokesman told AFP Wednesday.The European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company, the parent of Airbus, would bid as the lead contractor if it decides to bid, said Guy Hicks, spokesman for EADS North America. The contract is worth 35 billion dollars.

Tiny cracks discovered in the wings of Airbus superjumbo A380 planes can be easily repaired and pose no danger, the aircraft's manufacturer said Wednesday.Airbus' statement came the same day the European Aviation Safety Agency said 20 of the aircraft must be inspected after cracks were found in the wings of Singapore Airlines, Emirates and Air France planes."This is not a fatigue cracking problem," said Tom Williams, a vice-president with Airbus, blaming the cracks on design and manufacturing issues. "The cracks do not compromise the airworthiness of the aircraft."

Tiny cracks discovered in the wings of Airbus superjumbo A380 planes can be easily repaired and pose no danger, the aircraft's manufacturer said Wednesday.Airbus' statement came the same day the European Aviation Safety Agency said 20 of the aircraft must be inspected after cracks were found in the wings of Singapore Airlines, Emirates and Air France planes."This is not a fatigue cracking problem," said Tom Williams, a vice-president with Airbus, blaming the cracks on design and manufacturing issues. "The cracks do not compromise the airworthiness of the aircraft."

European aerospace giant European Aeronautic Defence & Space raised its full-year forecast for orders, revenue, profitability and free cash flow, saying demand for commercial aircraft remains strong although defense spending by cash-strapped governments is under pressure.

The US Air Force tanker bidding contest against Boeing heated up, with Airbus parent EADS mulling a proposal and Russia's state firm UAC gearing up for one next week.EADS opened the door to a bid against US arch-rival Boeing for the 35-billion-dollar aerial refueling tanker contract on signs of Pentagon willingness to extend the May deadline.The European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company's expressed interest in the competition, and the surprise emergence of a Russian competitor late Friday, marked new twists in the long-running saga to replace the aging Boeing fleet.