The European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company (EADS), a parent company of aircraft-maker Airbus, announced plans in February to cut 10,000 jobs and sell or close six of its 16 plants, following FedEx Corp.'s November decision to cancel its order for 10 A380 freighters, leaving Airbus with only 10 orders from one remaining customer, United Parcel Service Inc.
The largest staff strike was staged in Toulouse, in southern France, involving about 7,000 people. But the police said that the protest, which lasted only two hours, involved only about 2,000 people.
The protests were also held in Paris, in front of the EADS headquarters, as well as in other countries, particularly in Germany, Britain and Spain.
In line with the Power-8 plan the company intends to reduce its staff by 4,300 jobs in France, 3,200 - in Germany, 1,600 - in Britain and 400 - in Spain over the next four years.
The European air manufacturing concern saw a glimpse of hope Thursday, when Russia's largest air carrier Aeroflot announced that it would soon sign a contract for the delivery of 22 A-350 Airbuses. Qatar Airways also confirmed that it was in the process of talks on the acquisition of 80 A350s.
