The European aircraft manufacturer Airbus is to launch a new plane, the A350, that will challenge Boeing's new 7E7.
The announcement from the company's owners EADS and BAE Systems came as the EADS board met in Amsterdam. EADS controls 80% of Airbus and BAE Systems of Britain 20%.
The decision means that Airbus is authorised to solicit orders for the aircraft, derived from the A330 model, which will be offered in two versions expected to be operational in 2010.
EADS and BAE Systems foresee a market for 3,100 A350 aircraft over 20 years. The plane will have a capacity of between 245 and 285 seats.
