Green light for the A350XWB

The EADS board has given the green light to Airbus for the industrial launch of the A350XWB long range twin jet, with service entry planned for 2013.

The decision followed a drawn out internal debate about the aircraft’s viability against Boeing’s hot-selling 777 and 787, the latter of which will have a five year head start in the marketplace, and Airbus’s industrial and financial capacity to take on a third major aircraft program along with the A380 and A400M military transport.