Airbus not against GE-Honeywell deal

European plane maker Airbus today said it had told the European Commission that it had no objection to proposed merger between…

European plane maker Airbus today said it had told the European Commission that it had no objection to proposed merger between General Electric Corp and Honeywell International Inc.

The vice chairman of Airbus rival, Boeing Co, Harry Stonecipher, had been quoted yesterday as saying Airbus was opposed to the $42 billion acquisition.

"Airbus has no objection to the deal and has let that be known to the European Commission," Airbus CEO Noel Forgeard told a news conference at the Paris air show.

General Electric's planned purchase of Honeywell appears near to collapse after General Electric said it would not make any more concessions to satisfy European anti-trust authorities.