Dominik,You are right to think this thread might become somewhat lively.I worked in the European Aircraft industry for twenty years (in what was then the BAC Weybridge plant); we were of course in competition with Boeing. Boeing and other American manufacturers pulled all sorts of tricks, dirty and otherwise, aided by the US Government, to push us out of the market and gain world domination. Did European governments and European Industry respond in like manner? The continued existence of the European Aircraft Industry suggests to me that they did and in equal measure, it just that this side of the pond we only heard one side of the story.It is all very simple really. Both the US and Europe believe in fair trade and level playing fields provided they are winning. Any trick, dodge, wheeze or subsidy (hidden if necessary) is OK to prevent their side from falling behind. The aircraft industry is too big to be left to the chance of competition and national security will see that help is at hand if need be. It has always been thus and should surprise nobody.Pots have been calling kettles black for a very long time.Denis. The Ancient Brit.

Thanks, SimMan, but this was a discussion about EasyJet's 737s... :)How long will they remain in EasyJet's fleet?Matt

Hmmm....all this because a European airline decided to order some European planes./boggle

We are not going to let this degrade into a slug fest. Original message should have been placed in the Hangar Forum, and had it devolved as this one is, it too would have been shut down. This one is now closed.