A3XX as big a bet as Boeing took when it launched the jumbo in the 1960s.

ECONOMIST: Thank you, Singapore

Recent weeks have also seen renewed hostilities over funding for the development of Airbus's new super-jumbo jet, the A3XX .

ECONOMIST: Trade

A3XX will be profitable even if it wins only half the market for the 1, 200 aircraft that this figure represents.

ECONOMIST: Super-jumbo trade war ahead

A3XX gets its formal go-ahead, as now seems certain, Boeing will probably press the new American administration to get tough.

ECONOMIST: Thank you, Singapore

A3XX at last seems likely to get going.

ECONOMIST: Super-jumbo trade war ahead

Air France signed a letter of intent to buy 10 super jumbos, with options for four more, while Emirates Airlines said it planned to buy five A3XX, had the option to buy five more, and ordered two freighter versions of the aircraft.

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Airbus says it is confident that there is enough interest the launch the A3XX, with four airlines (Air France, Emirates Air, Singapore Airlines, and leasing firm ILFC) already committed to firm orders and several others (believed to include Virgin Atlantic and Qantas) discussing terms.

BBC: Development of the A3xx would be expensive

As soon as Airbus announced it was to embark on a project to develop the first "super" jumbo in 2001, it received an order for a private variant of the jet (then known by its codename of A3XX) from a client in the Middle East.

CNN: Luxury living at 35,000 ft

"The projected growth in air traffic we see, together with the totally new standard in terms of passengers comfort and economics that the A3XX will introduce in the very large capacity market will be extremely environmentally friendly, has convinced us, " Air France president Jean-Cyril Spinetta said.

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