Airbus Press Centre - press release

Minebea Co. Ltd., Showa Aircraft Co. Ltd. and Komy Co.Ltd. announced today that

they are joining the group of Japanese manufacturers already on board the A380

programme.  These companies will supply equipment and materials for the next-generation

super jumbo programme.  Moreover, Yokohama Rubber Corporation will expand its

contribution to the A380 with the supply of new materials.

Airbus President and CEO Noel Forgeard said,  ?We welcome Minebea, Showa Aircraft

and Komy to the A380 programme.  Their support is important to ensure the most

advanced technologies are on board our best selling A380.  The additional contribution

of Yokohama Rubber is a proof of the strong confidence of our Japanese suppliers

in the success of the A380.?

These additions will raise the estimated revenue of Japanese suppliers in the

A380 programme to well over US $4.6 billion in the years to come.   The three

new participants bring to 21 the total of Japanese companies collaborating in

the A380.

The contribution of each company is as follows:

Minebea Co. Ltd. is the supplier of highly engineered rod ends, spherical and

roller bearings, and rod assemblies used extensively in the A380.  Minebea?s plants

in Japan (Karuizawa, Nagano), Europe (Lincolnshire, UK), and United States (New

Hampshire) are responsible for the design and production.  Minebea has been working

with Airbus since 1982.

Showa Aircraft Co. Ltd. will supply Aramid Honeycomb materials to be used in

the manufacturing of composite parts for the A380.   The core materials, to be

produced at Showa?s Akishima Plant (near Tokyo), are currently under qualification

at different Airbus plants.   This is the first time for Showa Aircraft to work

with Airbus.

Komy Co. Ltd. is the supplier of special mirrors selected as standard equipment

for the A380 overhead stowage bins.  The development and production is on going

at Komy?s plant in Kawaguchi (Saitama Prefecture).   The first delivery will be

at the end of 2004.   Komy has been working with Airbus since 2000.

Yokohama Rubber Corp. will supply new pre preg materials to be used initially

in the production of A380 belly fairing parts.  The material is currently undergoing

qualification at Airbus? Getafe plant (Spain).  Production will be at Yokohama

Rubber?s Hiratsuka plant (Kanagawa Prefecture).    Yokohama Rubber is already

supplying the A380 water and waste tanks.  Delivery of the tanks for the first

serial production aircraft happened earlier this month.

To date, 13 customers have announced firm orders and commitments for a total

of 139 A380s.  The 555-seater A380 will enter into service in early 2006.

Airbus is an EADS joint Company with BAE Systems.