Airbus placing bet on freighters

Airbus is preparing to birth a new generation of freighter aircraft just as the industry is seeing declines in demand. But the company is looking beyond the immediate crisis and making a long-term bet on creating freighters that could compete with rival Boeing, which has long dominated the freighter market. (Source: Aviation Week, 02/22/09) Gulf Coast note: EADS, parent of Airbus, said last year that it would produce a cargo version of its A330 airliner in Mobile if it won the Air Force tanker contract. A new competition for the contract will begin this year.