Anyone who thinks this is a loan, I've got a bridge to sell you in Brooklyn. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- This article was sent to you by someone who found it on SF Gate. The original article can be found on SFGate.com here: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=3D/news/archive/2002/03/15/f= inancial1332EST0148.DTL ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Friday, March 15, 2002 (AP) Airbus gets loan from French state (03-15) 10:32 PST PARIS (AP) -- Europe's Airbus aircraft consortium is to get a $1.07 billion repayable loan from the French state to help cover the cost of developing its super-jumbo A380 jet, the Transportation Ministry said Friday. The ministry said it will also provide advances totaling $52.1 million to other companies working on the aircraft's fuselage. Production of the first prototype A380 began earlier this week, and the aircraft is expected to make its first flight toward the end of 2004. Entry into service is scheduled for 2006. The ministry said the Airbus advance is at market interest rates and will be repaid by the consortium as it delivers the planes. It also said the funding is in line with a 1992 agreement between the European Union and the United States covering government support for airliners of more than 100 seats. Airbus has booked 85 firm orders and 12 declarations of intent to purcha= se the A380, a 555-seat, double-decker jet that will be the world's largest airliner. =20 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright 2002 AP