Enforcement Directorate steps up probe into Airbus bribery case

Indian officials have intensified a probe into whether a $2.2 billion Airbus SE jetliner sale to a state-owned airline involved bribes, according to a person directly involved in the investigation.

The Enforcement Directorate is inspecting a payment of ₹142 crore ($20 million) linked to the 2006 purchase of 43 jets by Indian Airlines, as well as a commitment to provide aircraft-overhaul facilities that were never built, according to the person, who asked not to be named as the matter isn’t public.

All told, the investigation is examining benefits to Airbus of 10 billion rupees, the person said. The Enforcement Directorate didn’t respond to two calls seeking comment, while a spokesman for Airbus declined to comment.