EADS N.V. - Socata Aircraft, Inc. renamed EADS Socata North America, Inc.

Following a formal approval of Socata Aircraft, Inc. board of directors in Washington’s EADS North America headquarters, EADS Socata announced today that Socata Aircraft Inc. is renamed EADS Socata North America, Inc.

Based in the greater Fort Lauderdale area, EADS Socata North America is the sales and support base for EADS Socata corporate and general aviation for the Americas. EADS Socata North America is also responsible to provide maintenance, spare parts distribution, and technical support for the entire EADS Socata product line operated in North and South America.

The North and Latin America are continuing to grow as a market for the Very Fast Turboprop TBM850 aircraft, which is used primarily by private owner-pilots, but also for light cargo service and on-demand charter.

“We decided to continue our effort for one-integrated company we announced last year and changed the name of our subsidiary Socata Aircraft, Inc. for EADS Socata North America, Inc..” explained Stéphane Mayer, Chairman and CEO of EADS Socata. “It will keep under one single banner our teams in the US and in France for the best customer service.”.

“We want to direct our efforts towards the growing customer base and focus our energy in a series of improvements. It is necessary that our customers see the company under the same flag and expect the best of our teams whether they are located in Pembroke Pines or in Tarbes” said Nicolas Chabbert, VP Sales and Marketing for EADS Socata and President of EADS Socata North America.

EADS Socata is one of the world’s leading general aviation manufacturers, with more than 17,000 aircraft built since its creation as Morane-Saulnier in 1911. Current products include the TBM family of high-speed turboprops, TB GT piston aircraft, aerostructures for Airbus civil airliners, the A400M military transporter, Dassault Falcon jets, Eurocopter helicopters and Embraer regional jets. EADS Socata is expanding its customer service activities, to support its growing fleet of TBM and offer its light aviation expertise for aircraft below 5.7 tons through avionics modernization, maintenance, repair and overall package offers. Headquartered in Tarbes, France, with North American operations in Pembroke Pines, Florida, EADS Socata is a wholly owned subsidiary of EADS – a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services.. In 2006, EADS generated revenues of € 39.4 billion and employs a workforce of about 116,800.