EADS North America to Open New EADS CASA Facility in Alabama; New Mobile Site Signifies...

Business Editors

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 7, 2004

EADS North America announced on Wednesday that it is extending its operations into Alabama with the construction of a new EADS CASA North America facility in Mobile. EADS CASA, which is making an initial investment of

"EADS North America is very pleased to be coming to Alabama," said Ralph D. Crosby, Jr., Chairman and CEO, EADS North America. "We are committed to increasing our already significant footprint in the U.S. by providing employment and quality products for U.S. corporate, para-public, and governmental customers. U.S. Senator Richard Shelby played a significant role in influencing our decision to relocate to Alabama, and we look forward to thanking the people of Alabama by being good corporate citizens of Mobile."

Currently, EADS CASA North America supports the U.S. Coast Guard's Deepwater Program, among other U.S. government and para-public customers, with the CN-235. The Mobile Regional Airport location was specifically selected due to its adjacent location to the U.S. Coast Guard Mobile Air Training (ATC) Center where the CN-235 aircraft will be delivered to the ATC and where pilot training will be conducted.

The initial structure will be approximately 5000 square feet of office space, and 8000 square feet of warehouse space and will serve as a repair facility and service center. Future construction will include a hangar facility at the Mobile Regional Airport facility of approximately 18,000 square feet to serve as an aircraft delivery center for the C-295, should the aircraft be selected by the U.S. military for troop transport.

The President and CEO of EADS CASA North America, Jose Morales stated: "By relocating to Mobile, we will be in a prime location to best serve our customers, including the U.S. Coast Guard."

About EADS CASA North America

EADS CASA North America is an operating entity of EADS North America and the representative organization of EADS CASA in Spain. The company offers a complete range of military transport aircraft, including mission aircraft: from the heavy lifter A400M now under development to the reliable and worldwide known C-295, CN-235 and C-212. EADS CASA North America is currently planning a one-month multi-state tour of U. S. military bases that will showcase the EADS CASA C-295 aircraft multi-role capabilities for the U.S. Army and the Army National Guard. EADS CASA supports customers who operate more than 700 C-212s, CN 235s and C-295 military transport aircraft in 50 countries.

About EADS North America (www.eadsnorthamerica.com)

With headquarters in Washington, D.C., EADS North America is the holding company for the North American operations of EADS, the second largest aerospace and defense company in the world. As a leader in all sectors of defense and homeland security, EADS North America and its parent company, EADS, contribute over $6 billion to the U.S. economy annually and support more than 100,000 American jobs through its network of suppliers and services. With 11 operating units and investments in 38 cities and the District of Columbia, EADS offers a broad array of advanced solutions to its customers in the commercial, homeland security, aerospace and defense markets.

About EADS (www.eads.com)

EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defense and related services. In 2003 EADS, generated revenues of EUR 30.1 billion and employed a workforce of more than 100,000. The EADS Group includes the aircraft manufacturer Airbus, the world's largest helicopter supplier Eurocopter and the joint venture MBDA, the second largest missile producer in the global market. EADS is the major partner in the Eurofighter consortium, is the prime contractor for the Ariane launcher, develops the A400M military transport aircraft and is the largest industrial partner for the European satellite navigation system Galileo.