THE US warned this week . .

Date: 16/03/2000

. . . that the EU's refusal to abandon plans to outlaw hush-kitted aircraft could spark a backlash against European airplanes such as Concorde or the planned Airbus super-jumbo. The warning came after talks between the two sides aimed at reaching a compromise failed and Washington carried out its threat to file a complaint against the impending ban with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), although it said this could be withdrawn if the Union backed down.