Airbus says other aircraft testing going ahead after last week's A340 write-off November 19, 2007: 12:54 PM EST PARIS, Nov. 19, 2007 (Thomson Financial delivered by Newstex) -- EADS unit Airbus has confirmed that the A340-600 aircraft involved in a ground collision during engine-testing last week has been written off. The four-engined aircraft was due for delivery to Abu Dhabi-based carrier Etihad Airways on Wednesday but crashed through a barrier during engine run-ups last Thursday, injuring five people on board. An Airbus spokeswoman said engine testing activities on other Airbus aircraft are continuing at another area following the accident. Etihad said last week that the loss of the aircraft is unlikely to have a 'significant impact' on its operations. The aircraft, one of two A340-600s due to be delivered by the EADS unit by the end of the year, to complete its order of four, was intended 'as a back-up aircraft to support overall fleet maintenance,' an Etihad spokesman said. The spokeswoman said Airbus is 'in constant contact (NASDAQ:CTCT) ' with Etihad but it is too early to say whether another aircraft may be delivered in the A340's place as discussions on this have not yet started. The spokeswoman was unable to comment on whether the damage to the aircraft is covered by an Airbus insurance policy as this is linked to an investigation that has been launched by France's civil aviation accident investigation body BEA, she said. The aircraft was registered in France with a French registration ahead of its delivery to Etihad. Copyright Thomson Financial News Limited 2007. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Thomson Financial News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Financial News. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> If you wish to unsubscribe from the AIRLINE List, please send an E-mail to: "listserv@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx". Within the body of the text, only write the following:"SIGNOFF AIRLINE".