http://www.spiegel.de Daily news, analysis and opinion from Europe's leading newsmagazine and Germany's top news Web site. en Mon, 20 May 2013 11:12:02 +0200 Mon, 20 May 2013 11:12:02 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/spiegel-interview-with-eads-ceo-thomas-enders-a-878742.html#ref=rss In October, German government officials blocked the merger of defense giants EADS and BAE Systems. The merger was a key part of EADS CEO Thomas Enders' strategy to rebalance the company's portfolio. In a SPIEGEL interview, Enders explains how the pan-European firm is picking up the pieces. Tue, 22 Jan 2013 18:15:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/spiegel-interview-with-eads-ceo-thomas-enders-a-878742.html In October, German government officials blocked the merger of defense giants EADS and BAE Systems. The merger was a key part of EADS CEO Thomas Enders' strategy to rebalance the company's portfolio. In a SPIEGEL interview, Enders explains how the pan-European firm is picking up the pieces. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/new-allegations-haunt-eads-fighter-jet-deal-a-873194.html#ref=rss In the corruption scandal surrounding the sale of Eurofighter jets to Austria, more and more information suggests that European defense giant EADS may have played a role in bribery aimed at securing the lucrative contract. The affair has the potential to damage the company's image and its bottom line. Mon, 17 Dec 2012 17:40:15 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/new-allegations-haunt-eads-fighter-jet-deal-a-873194.html In the corruption scandal surrounding the sale of Eurofighter jets to Austria, more and more information suggests that European defense giant EADS may have played a role in bribery aimed at securing the lucrative contract. The affair has the potential to damage the company's image and its bottom line. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/investigation-into-dubious-eads-austria-deal-intensifies-a-866646.html#ref=rss A scandal over dubious transfers of millions of euros is creating turbulence for European defense giant EADS. If suspicions by investigators that the company committed corruption in a deal to sell Eurofighters to Austria are proven, it could mean the end of the sale -- and billions in losses. Mon, 12 Nov 2012 18:11:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/investigation-into-dubious-eads-austria-deal-intensifies-a-866646.html A scandal over dubious transfers of millions of euros is creating turbulence for European defense giant EADS. If suspicions by investigators that the company committed corruption in a deal to sell Eurofighters to Austria are proven, it could mean the end of the sale -- and billions in losses.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/eads-bae-merger-failure-is-bad-politics-say-german-papers-a-860741.html#ref=rss The failure of the massive merger of EADS and BAE shows more clearly than ever the degree to which politicians influence the European defense industry. The Continent missed a prime opportunity to fix the problem, argue German commentators. Thu, 11 Oct 2012 14:30:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/eads-bae-merger-failure-is-bad-politics-say-german-papers-a-860741.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/eads-merger-with-bae-called-off-as-blame-aimed-at-germany-a-860568.html#ref=rss The merger between EADS and BAE would have created one of the world's largest aerospace and defense companies. But on Wednesday, it was called off. Germany, says EADS, bears the lion's share of the blame for the collapse of the mega-deal. Wed, 10 Oct 2012 16:23:58 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/eads-merger-with-bae-called-off-as-blame-aimed-at-germany-a-860568.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/eads-bae-fusion-fails-amid-bickering-among-germany-france-and-britain-a-860064.html#ref=rss The planned mega-merger between EADS and BAE appears to have failed, but the blame game between Britain, Germany and France has only just begun. Relations between Berlin and EADS may have taken the biggest hit -- and the aerospace giant's employees might ultimately pay the highest price. Mon, 08 Oct 2012 16:02:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/eads-bae-fusion-fails-amid-bickering-among-germany-france-and-britain-a-860064.html The planned mega-merger between EADS and BAE appears to have failed, but the blame game between Britain, Germany and France has only just begun. Relations between Berlin and EADS may have taken the biggest hit -- and the aerospace giant's employees might ultimately pay the highest price.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/mega-defense-firm-merger-between-eads-and-bae-on-verge-of-collapse-a-859752.html#ref=rss The planned merger of EADS and BAE has essentially failed, sources tell SPIEGEL ONLINE, after a decisive round of negotiations among the three countries involved ended without an agreement. A dispute between France and the United Kingdom reportedly proved too great to overcome. EADS denies the reports are true. Fri, 05 Oct 2012 17:14:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/mega-defense-firm-merger-between-eads-and-bae-on-verge-of-collapse-a-859752.html The planned merger of EADS and BAE has essentially failed, sources tell SPIEGEL ONLINE, after a decisive round of negotiations among the three countries involved ended without an agreement. A dispute between France and the United Kingdom reportedly proved too great to overcome. EADS denies the reports are true.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/eads-pitches-merits-of-bae-merger-to-berlin-a-858350.html#ref=rss Franco-German company EADS is facing significant resistance in Berlin to its plan to merge with British defense giant BAE Systems. German politicians fear a loss of jobs and power in the new company, which if created would become the global market leader in defense. Thu, 27 Sep 2012 16:06:04 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/eads-pitches-merits-of-bae-merger-to-berlin-a-858350.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/eads-bae-merger-plans-put-merkel-under-pressure-a-856446.html#ref=rss The planned merger of British defense contractor BAE Systems with aircraft maker EADS is putting Germany's chancellor under pressure. If Merkel consents to the deal, she will jeopardize jobs in the high-tech industry. But if she refuses, she will endanger the future of the aerospace giant. <i>By SPIEGEL Staff</i> Tue, 18 Sep 2012 13:58:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/eads-bae-merger-plans-put-merkel-under-pressure-a-856446.html The planned merger of British defense contractor BAE Systems with aircraft maker EADS is putting Germany's chancellor under pressure. If Merkel consents to the deal, she will jeopardize jobs in the high-tech industry. But if she refuses, she will endanger the future of the aerospace giant. By SPIEGEL Staff ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/airbus-set-to-announce-plans-to-open-plant-in-united-states-a-841458.html#ref=rss European aviation giant Airbus appears set to announce plans to open a plant in Alabama. The move would enable the company to reduce costs and also compete more directly with Boeing in its home market. The aerospace firm already has top-notch American customers including Delta and US Airways. Thu, 28 Jun 2012 12:12:48 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/airbus-set-to-announce-plans-to-open-plant-in-united-states-a-841458.html European aviation giant Airbus appears set to announce plans to open a plant in Alabama. The move would enable the company to reduce costs and also compete more directly with Boeing in its home market. The aerospace firm already has top-notch American customers including Delta and US Airways. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/airbus-struggles-to-handle-a380-engineering-dilemma-a-822391.html#ref=rss To reduce fuel consumption, Airbus used extremely lightweight materials in its flagship A380. Now cracks have appeared in the wings, and repairs will cost the company hundreds of millions of euros. The problem highlights the engineering dilemma caused by the industry drive for fuel efficiency. Wed, 21 Mar 2012 17:23:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/airbus-struggles-to-handle-a380-engineering-dilemma-a-822391.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/expensive-checks-hairline-cracks-could-cost-eads-100-million-euros-a-814936.html#ref=rss Last week, European aviation safety authorities ordered all Airbus A380s to be checked after hairline cracks were found in wing brackets. Now SPIEGEL has learned that the inspections and repairs could cost Airbus parent EADS up to 100 million euros -- over 1 million euros per plane. Mon, 13 Feb 2012 12:43:25 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/expensive-checks-hairline-cracks-could-cost-eads-100-million-euros-a-814936.html Last week, European aviation safety authorities ordered all Airbus A380s to be checked after hairline cracks were found in wing brackets. Now SPIEGEL has learned that the inspections and repairs could cost Airbus parent EADS up to 100 million euros -- over 1 million euros per plane. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/concerned-over-cracks-european-safety-authority-orders-checks-on-all-a380s-a-814026.html#ref=rss Australian airline Qantas has temporarily suspended flights with one of its A380 super jumbo jet aircraft after hairline cracks were found. In the light of the discovery, Europe's aviation safety authority has ordered inspections on all the Airbus double-decker planes in service. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:34:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/concerned-over-cracks-european-safety-authority-orders-checks-on-all-a380s-a-814026.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/eads-loses-massive-contract-india-opts-for-french-fighter-jets-a-812714.html#ref=rss French defense manufacturer Dassault has beaten EADS for the right to negotiate exclusively with the Indian government on the sale of 126 fighter jets. Still, the deal could ultimately collapse -- in the past, all other talks to sell Dassault's Rafale aircraft abroad have failed. Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:38:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/eads-loses-massive-contract-india-opts-for-french-fighter-jets-a-812714.html French defense manufacturer Dassault has beaten EADS for the right to negotiate exclusively with the Indian government on the sale of 126 fighter jets. Still, the deal could ultimately collapse -- in the past, all other talks to sell Dassault's Rafale aircraft abroad have failed. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/preserving-strategic-interests-german-government-to-purchase-eads-shares-a-796981.html#ref=rss In a deal valued at more than a billion euros, the German government has said it will purchase 7.5 percent of shares in Airbus parent company EADS. The move is aimed at preserving the balance between German and French ownership in the aerospace giant and ensures that Germany's holdings in the company will not be sold to foreign investors. Thu, 10 Nov 2011 12:16:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/preserving-strategic-interests-german-government-to-purchase-eads-shares-a-796981.html In a deal valued at more than a billion euros, the German government has said it will purchase 7.5 percent of shares in Airbus parent company EADS. The move is aimed at preserving the balance between German and French ownership in the aerospace giant and ensures that Germany's holdings in the company will not be sold to foreign investors.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/unease-over-eads-daimler-and-berlin-fight-over-share-sale-to-qatar-a-791019.html#ref=rss Executives at Daimler are opposed to a sale of the company's holdings in aerospace giant EADS to the the emirate of Qatar, and they are locked in a dispute with the government in Berlin. They fear the sale would lead to French dominance in future decision-making. Mon, 10 Oct 2011 17:04:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/unease-over-eads-daimler-and-berlin-fight-over-share-sale-to-qatar-a-791019.html Executives at Daimler are opposed to a sale of the company's holdings in aerospace giant EADS to the the emirate of Qatar, and they are locked in a dispute with the government in Berlin. They fear the sale would lead to French dominance in future decision-making. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/industrial-politics-qatar-interested-in-eads-investment-a-787163.html#ref=rss The future of Germany's stake in aerospace organization EADS has been uncertain since Daimler announced it wanted to sell its shares. But now Qatar is said to be in talks with Berlin about acquiring a stake. Will this upset the delicate balance of power between France and Germany at EADS? Mon, 19 Sep 2011 17:28:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/industrial-politics-qatar-interested-in-eads-investment-a-787163.html The future of Germany's stake in aerospace organization EADS has been uncertain since Daimler announced it wanted to sell its shares. But now Qatar is said to be in talks with Berlin about acquiring a stake. Will this upset the delicate balance of power between France and Germany at EADS?]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/hypersonic-airbus-dreams-of-faster-greener-space-concorde-a-769435.html#ref=rss Airbus had a few setbacks over the weekend, but it whipped up much excitement with talk of a supersonic "commercial rocket plane" ahead of the Paris Air Show, which opened on Monday. The aircraft is meant to be a greener replacement for the retired Concorde. Mon, 20 Jun 2011 17:14:29 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/hypersonic-airbus-dreams-of-faster-greener-space-concorde-a-769435.html Airbus had a few setbacks over the weekend, but it whipped up much excitement with talk of a supersonic "commercial rocket plane" ahead of the Paris Air Show, which opened on Monday. The aircraft is meant to be a greener replacement for the retired Concorde.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/daimler-wants-out-berlin-forced-to-consider-taking-a-stake-in-eads-a-761617.html#ref=rss Daimler wants to sell its shares in the European aerospace corporation EADS. But some are concerned that, without a significant stake in German hands, domestic jobs could be lost. Berlin is faced with a choice: Should the government buy a stake in the Airbus parent company? Wed, 11 May 2011 12:39:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/daimler-wants-out-berlin-forced-to-consider-taking-a-stake-in-eads-a-761617.html Daimler wants to sell its shares in the European aerospace corporation EADS. But some are concerned that, without a significant stake in German hands, domestic jobs could be lost. Berlin is faced with a choice: Should the government buy a stake in the Airbus parent company?]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/billion-euro-bailout-a400m-military-transport-plane-saved-in-seville-a-755721.html#ref=rss For a while, it looked like the Airbus A400M transport plane was going to end up on the drawing room floor. But several European countries that have ordered the plane backed a deal on Thursday covering 3.5 billion euros worth of cost overruns. Airbus Military say the first planes will be delivered in late 2012. Thu, 07 Apr 2011 17:36:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/billion-euro-bailout-a400m-military-transport-plane-saved-in-seville-a-755721.html For a while, it looked like the Airbus A400M transport plane was going to end up on the drawing room floor. But several European countries that have ordered the plane backed a deal on Thursday covering 3.5 billion euros worth of cost overruns. Airbus Military say the first planes will be delivered in late 2012.]]>