Airbus Americas spent $190K lobbying in 3Q

WASHINGTON – Airbus Americas Inc. spent $190,000 in the third quarter lobbying over its competition for a $35 billion Air Force contract for aerial refueling tankers and other issues, according to a recent disclosure form.

European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co.'s Airbus and its partner Northrop Grumman Corp. are competing with Boeing Co. over the contract to build 179 tankers. The contract was awarded to the Northrop-EADS team last year, but the Pentagon revisited it after Boeing protested and its claims were deemed valid.

In September, the World Trade Organization made an interim ruling deeming European loans for Airbus as illegal subsidies. A separate ruling on a European Union counter-complaint against the U.S. is expected around March.

Airbus' lobbying also included providing information about its U.S. suppliers, its commitment to the environment, and reauthorization for the Federal Aviation Administration, according to the form filed Oct. 19 with the House clerk's office.