After what it said was "careful consideration", Airbus on March 29 announced it would not buy a planned near-30% stake in Evidian, part of the French consultancy company Atos.
The Toulouse-based Airbus said it had "come to the conclusion that the potential acquisition of a minority stake of 29.9% in Evidian does not meet the Company’s objectives in the current context and under the current structure".
"Airbus and Atos continue to discuss other potential options and pursue the work on the long term strategic and technological partnership between Airbus and Evidian which has the potential to create significant value for both companies," the airframe manufacturer said.
Shortly after the possible deal was announced in February 2023, the British billionaire Christopher Hohn, whose TCI hedge fund owns around 3% of Airbus, requested the offer be withdrawn, saying it would be "value destructive". Hohn also demanded to know if the French government had any say in the deal.