Airbus fears 'weak-dollar death'

The dollar has hit new record lows against the euro this week, something which Airbus says favours its US rival Boeing.

Earlier this month Airbus warned it may have to deepen its planned restructuring after steeper than expected third-quarter losses.

It said a net loss of 776m euros ($1.14 bn; £541m) - as against a loss of 189m euros in 2006 - was down to delays with its A400M military transport aircraft.

And it said full-year earnings would only "roughly break even".

EADS said it might have to make more savings, as cost-cutting plans were drawn up when the euro was weaker.

And back in September, Airbus chief operating officer Fabrice Bregier said a further 1bn euros might have to be added to a savings plan which was originally based on a $1.35 euro.