A350 ?

Sorry if this has been posted before not really been around for the last few weeks.

The European aircraft manufacturer Airbus took aim at rival Boeing with an announcement that it will go ahead and build the long-range, medium-size A350 to do battle with Boeing’s 7E7 Dreamliner.

The owners of Airbus Industrie, the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS) and BAE Systems of Britain, said Airbus was now authorized to solicit orders for the A350, which would have a seating capacity of 245-285 and should be operational in 2010.

Qatar Airways, Aer Lingus and Korean Airlines are among the potential buyers, according to press reports.

“The long-range market is becoming more segmented in terms of size and capacity,” said Airbus chief executive Noel Forgeard.

“Airbus has listened to its customers, who were interested in the medium-size category with greater range.”

The A350 is to be offered in two versions, the A350-800, which would carry 245 passengers and have a range of 8,600 nautical miles (15,900 kilometers), and the A350-900, which would seat 285 people and have a range of 7,500 nautical miles (13,900 kilometers).

Boeing has put the market for medium-range aircraft at 2,620 over the next 20 years, while Airbus estimates demand at 3,100 planes in the same period.

Boeing officials have said that such aircraft would be able to serve “fragmenting” long-haul markets, such as the Atlantic and Pacific, as well as shorter routes with a higher potential passenger density, such as in Asia.

Airbus by contrast had been more interested in developing high-density connections with major international airports using giant aircraft such as its future A380.

But Airbus was forced to reconsider when Boeing unveiled plans for its 7E7, which is designed to be 20 percent more fuel efficient than comparable jets.

Last July’s Farnborough international air show in Britain was considered a launching pad for the 7E7, now scheduled for delivery in mid-2008.

Forgeard, asked later how Airbus would respond to the 7E7, acknowledged that the aircraft might have a future and said Airbus would remain vigilant and ready to act if necessary.

The technological advances in the 7E7, such as an increased use of composite materials, a more systematic use of electrical systems and a new-look interior design, were likewise not lost on Airbus planners as they contemplated developing the A350.

“The A350 will strongly contribute to EADS’ long-term business strategy and profitable growth,” said EADS co-chief executives Philippe Camus and Rainer Hertrich in a statement Friday.

“Moving forward with a new long-range aircraft is of great importance for the future competitiveness of Airbus’ product range as a whole.”

The overall cost of a new program could come to as much as four billion euros (5.3 billion dollars), according to press reports.

Forgeard has said he would ask for reimbursable advances from four European countries — Britain, France, Germany and Spain — to go ahead with development of the A350.

But the move would likely aggravate a US-European row over the legality of government assistance to Boeing and Airbus.

EADS shares edged up on the announcement, closing on a gain of 0.48 percent at 23.17 euros.