Blair’s backing for Airbus

European leaders Tony Blair, Gerhard Schroeder and Jacques Chirac have reportedly all written to the Polish Prime Minister Marek Belka, recommending that the national carrier LOT Polish Airlines buys European Airbus planes when it upgrades its fleet. According to the Warsaw Business Journal, LOT is currently deciding whether to replace between five and eight of its fleet of Boeing 767s, or to repair them. Both Boeing and Airbus are reportedly interested in supplying replacement jets; LOT would become the first European flag-carrier to order Boeing 7E7 planes if it places an order with the American company. A spokesman from the Polish prime minister’s office, referring to the high-level correspondence, reportedly said: “Such political marketing, even at the top level, is nothing special in this world.” Report by Tim Gillett, News From Abroad Ltd