Airbus, Netherlands developing lighter planes

Dutch airline companies will work together with French aircraft manufacturer Airbus to develop lightweight plastic materials, the Ministry of Economic Affairs said on Monday. [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"27142","attributes":{"class":"media-image size-medium wp-image-13395","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"300","height":"197","alt":"A350"}}]] A350 / Wikipedia Collectively, the Dutch ministry and companies and Airbus will invest more than €24 million in the Thermoplastic Affordable Primary Aircraft Structure (TAPAS) project. The companies will sign an agreement on Monday in the presence of Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, French President Francois Hollande and Minister of Economic Affairs Henk Kamp. The Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs said in a statement that it will support the partnership with a loan of € 9.5 million. The lightweight plastic material is 15% lighter than regular aircraft equipment allowing aircraft to fly more economical. "Dutch companies and knowledge institutions are among the best in the world when it comes to making lightweight materials and high-tech systems for aircraft," Camp said. "The agreement to be signed today is a direct investment in the future of this sector in the Netherlands. That provides income and jobs. "