LONDON (Reuters) – EasyJet’s multi-billion dollar (EZJ.L: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) deal to buy 135 jets from Airbus (EAD.PA: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) has sparked a new battle with the budget airline’s founder and biggest shareholder Stelios Haji-Ioannou, who has voiced his opposition to the deal.

EasyJet agreed to buy 35 current-generation A320 aircraft and 100 new A320neo jets, with options for a further 100, the airline announced on Tuesday, day two of the Paris Airshow.

LONDON, June 13 (Reuters) – Britain may overtake France as
Europe’s second largest automotive producer within the next five
years if UK car sales and exports maintain current strong
growth, industry executives said on Thursday.

“All the indications appear to be saying yes Britain will be
second in a few years,” Tim Abbott, managing director of German
carmaker BMW’s UK operations said on the sidelines of the SMMT
automotive conference in London.

LONDON/PARIS, June 13 (Reuters) – Airbus is in
advanced talks to complete a $10 billion order for at least 100
planes from British low-cost airline easyJet, sources
familiar with the matter said on Thursday.

EasyJet has entered negotiations with the European
planemaker as preferred supplier to buy around 100 of its
re-engined A320neo jets, with as many again in options, dealing
a blow to its U.S. rival Boeing which had hoped to undo
the airline’s defection to its European rival over a decade ago,
the sources said.

LONDON (Reuters) – British air safety regulators ordered Airbus to notify operators of its A320 jets to make specific safety checks after finding unlocked engine covers had forced a jet to make an emergency landing at London’s Heathrow airport last week.

An Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) report published on Friday said two coverings or cowls on the Airbus (EAD.PA: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) A319′s engines were left unlatched after maintenance and this was not noticed before the aircraft departed.

LONDON, May 31 (Reuters) – British travel firm TUI Travel
agreed to buy 60 mid-range Boeing jets with an option for 90
more, moving to make its fleet more fuel-efficient and
delivering the U.S. planemaker a big contract win over European
rival Airbus.

The world’s largest tour operator, which owns six European
airlines including Britain’s Thomson Airways, said on Friday the
initial order of Boeing 737 MAX planes was secured at a
“significant discount” to the list price of $6.09 billion.

LONDON (Reuters) – Airlines found guilty of breaking noise limits at Heathrow airport will face bigger fines and will be named and shamed by the London hub as it seeks to win more public support for a controversial expansion.

Europe’s busiest airport plans to “significantly increase” the fines it imposes on airlines that break its day and night noise limits, it said in a report released on Thursday, part of its efforts to gain approval for expansion.

LONDON, May 30 (Reuters) – Airlines found guilty of breaking
noise limits at Heathrow airport will face bigger fines and will
be named and shamed by the London hub as it seeks to win more
public support for a controversial expansion.

Europe’s busiest airport plans to “significantly increase”
the fines it imposes on airlines that break its day and night
noise limits, it said in a report released on Thursday, part of
its efforts to gain approval for expansion.

LONDON (Reuters) – British fighter jets escorted a Pakistan International Airlines passenger plane to Stansted Airport near London on Friday, where police went on board and arrested two men on suspicion of endangering an aircraft.

Passengers were leaving the plane and no one was hurt in the incident, a spokesman for the airport said.

LONDON (Reuters) – British fighter jets escorted a Pakistan International Airlines (PIAa.KA: Quote, Profile, Research) passenger plane to Stansted Airport near London on Friday, where police went on board and arrested two men on suspicion of endangering an aircraft.

Passengers were leaving the plane and no one was hurt in the incident, a spokesman for the airport said.

LONDON (Reuters) – British fighter jets escorted a Pakistan International Airlines passenger plane to Stansted Airport near London on Friday, where police went on board and arrested two men on suspicion of endangering an aircraft.

Flight PK709 from Lahore in Pakistan had been due to land at Manchester in northern England with 297 passengers on board, but was diverted shortly before arrival. A security source said early indications were that the plane was not the target of a terrorist attack.