Ian Sheppard has acted as Editor International Show Editions for AIN since June 2013. Based in the Redhill, England, Ian reports for the various AIN publications as well as providing support to International Editor Charles Alcock in covering international air shows (such as Farnborough, Paris, Singapore and Dubai), and the EBACE and MEBA business aviation events. His central role is to cover Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).
Prior to becoming more involved with AIN in mid-2011 (initially as deputy international editor), Ian worked for various aviation publications through his company, First Aerospace Media. This included being part of the AIN team covering daily news at international air shows.
Ian has worked for publications such as Flight International (technical reporter, 1997-8) and Aerospace International (editor, 1999-2000). He was publications manager at Airclaims (Ascend) between 2000 and 2004 before forming First Aerospace Media. Since mid-2009 Ian has also been managing editor of Regional International, the journal of the European Regions Airline Association (ERA).
Ian hasis working towards a European commercial pilot licence, having held an FAA private pilot license in 1991, and instructor rating. He also has a degree in aeronautical engineering from the University of Bath, England, and a graduate diploma in law from Kingston University, and is a graduate of the legal practice course (College of Law, Guildford).

Editor

Ian Sheppard

Airbus said on Tuesday that it has “decided to pause production and assembly activities” for the next four days at its production plants in France and Spain as it implements measures to protect workers while it assesses the wider COVID-19 coronavirus situation, which has brought much of Europe to a standstill. It said “assessments are ongoing” relating to other manufacturing sites.

 


“Airbus is closely monitoring the evolution of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic across the globe and is assessing the situation, the impact on employees, customers, suppliers, and the business. The health and safety of Airbus employees is paramount, and Airbus is following WHO and local health authority guidance,” the company said in a consolidated statement.

 


“The company remains in close contact with its customers and suppliers and is working together with them to minimize the impact on their operations.”

 


On a positive note, however, it said: “Airbus nevertheless assumes that the world economy and air traffic will grow in 2020 in line with prevailing independent forecasts.&nbsp;Based on this, Airbus targets around 880 commercial aircraft deliveries in 2020.”

 


Meanwhile, Airbus's share price has fallen 45 percent this month and with many airlines grounding the majority of their fleets in Europe and further afield, the company will need to&nbsp;brace&nbsp;for requests for order and delivery schedule changes.

 


Airbus has set out a range of scenarios that could see a longer-term slowdown or shutdown depending on health measures put in place by Europe’s governments; it&nbsp;also operates major manufacturing plants in the UK and Germany.

 


The company said it will allow employees to work from home where possible. “These measures will be implemented locally in coordination with the social partners," it stated. "Airbus is also working together with its customers and suppliers to minimize the impact of this decision on their operations.”&nbsp;

 


In the UK, aerospace industry trade association ADS, organizer of July's Farnborough Airshow, published advice on the “evolving situation.”

 


“We are also keen to hear from our members on any business impacts of this situation,” it said

 


ADS also propagated the UK government’s urgent request for manufacturing resources to produce ventilators given that the number available at hospitals will prove woefully inadequate.

 


“With the impact of coronavirus quickly increasing in the UK and globally, the government is seeking support from industry and our sectors to rapidly increase manufacturing capability for urgently needed medical equipment,” it said.

 


It remains unclear whether or not any aerospace companies have come forward to offer their production expertise.

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