Sunday, May 1 2005 10:25 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Air India has taken strong exception to the "misinformation" campaign launched by Airbus Industry after the European consortium lost the over $ 6.5 billion contract to its arch rival Boeing Aircraft Company for supply of 50 medium and long range capacity jets to the airline.

"A-I takes strong exception to the misinformation campaign" by Airbus on the bidding process followed by the airline Board of Directors and termed it as "mischievous and misleading" the public, Air India is understood to have stated in a letter to the Civil Aviation Ministry.

The airline board had decided to go in for 50 Boeing aircraft comprising B-777s and 787s Dream liner.

AI is understood to have urged the Government to object to the "irresponsible" manner in which Airbus officials made the statements, even questioning the integrity of the airline as well as that of the Board.

Asking Airbus to stop making further comments, the AI is reported to have asked the Government to take up with the French Government the statement made by "the high official of Airbus or the manufacturer should face the threat of any action that the Government may contemplate".