Airbus shares rocked by UK probe into ‘corruption’

Shares in French aerospace giant Airbus encountered turbulence today due to the launch of a UK investigation into possible fraud, bribery and corruption at the company.

Airbus shares slid to as low as €50.16 (£42.65), down 84 cents, or 1.7%, in early trading.

They later recovered slightly but remained the biggest fallers on France’s widely positive blue-chip stock market index, the CAC 40.

Airbus told investors yesterday Britain’s Serious Fraud Office had opened a criminal investigation into allegations of fraud, bribery and corruption in its civil aviation business.

The probe relates to “irregularities concerning third-party consultants”. The company said it was cooperating with the SFO.