Thomas Lifson at www.americanthinker.com has been writing a very good series
of articles folowing the soap opera of the Airbus A380. Things looks pretty
desperate for Airbus and all parties within Airbus seem to only be able to
exaggerate those problems. The CEOs, especially the one that lasted a few
days before leaving, recognize the existential threat Airbus faces. The
unions and politicians, with a death grip on the throat of Airbus are saying
they understand Airbus must change or die, but they are practicing the same
tactics which are driving Airbus to the Brink. The French and German
governments aren't willing to let their people get less than all they
deserve, especially the French.

The sensible thing would be to consolidate manufacturing, perhaps into only
2 locations. But the Germans see that the French are setting them up for
bait and switch. If Airbus moves all narrow body production to Germany, it
will only benefit the Germans until Airbus gets narrow body production up
and running in China. Every plane made in China, and the Chinese are
insisting they not just buy aircraft but be allowed to make aircraft makes
the German facilities redundant.

About the time the A380 was announced there was a half-serious idea floating
around that Boeing had tricked Airbus into committing to the A380 by
"accidentally" exposing Boeing's plans for a super-747. The idea being if
Airbus knew Boeing saw the world market as demanding ever larger jets,
Airbus would commit to the A380. In reality, Boeing had determined the
world market was demanding 777 and 787 type aircraft. If Boeing could trick
Airbus into taking the bait and building A380s the burden would doom Airbus.
That's probably a better story than real explanation. But the lack of
oversight, political meddling, and divisions within Airbus that became
obvious with the A380 do look the be serious enough to doom Airbus.

The good news is that Airbus can survive. The bad news is that survival
probably depends on the politicians and the governments reacting like
seasoned private enterprise.

You can read the Thomas Lifson articles about Airbus at the link below.

http://tinyurl.com/2gxebd
--

Scott

Drain the swamp. Deport Islam. Until Muslims observe and protect
human/religious rights of others they should not be allowed to remain in the
West. Islam, as practiced, is incompatible with Western freedom.
"Anno v. Heimburg" wrote in message
...
Okay, I'll bite:
Airbus is both German and French, so please include "German Krauts" in
your
nationalistic insults. Only saying "French Frogs" is not paying proper
respect to the system of national parity at Airbus. As a German, when it
comes to Airbus, I want my fair share of nationalistic slurs, and I find
not being insulted highly offending.

On a more serious note, I think that Competition Is Good (TM) and that
both
passengers and airlines alike have profited from the rivalry between
Boeing
and Airbus. It was this intense competition that sparked projects like the
A340 and B787. Not even the most pig-headed Boeing fanboy could seriously
wish for the demise of Airbus, and vice versa - it would make the single
remaining then-monopolist a worse company and seriously slow down
innovation.

Anno.