Thu, Oct 12, 2006
Company Hints At Delays For A350XWB And A400M
Can it possibly get
worse at Airbus? Parent company EADS has seen its share of troubles
of late. Now leadership is hinting at even more problems.
Delays with the A380 program at Airbus have caused shakeups with
company leadership. Stock selling scandals, a flagship program
delayed for two years and two new CEOs within a few months are all
contributing to the company hemorrhaging money -- nearly $6
billion.
Stiff competition with Boeing and a weak dollar are adding to
the company's woes.
Airbus accepted a two-year delay in the A350 program when it
announced the XWB variant at Farnborough this year. The XWB is the
company's answer to Boeing's 787 Dreamliner. Now, EADS is says even
more delays are likely with that program -- and with its A400M
military transport program as well.
The A400M is an airlift aircraft Airbus hopes to pit against
Lockheed's C-130 Hercules. NPR reports that program is facing cost
increases.
EADS co-Chairmen Manfred Bischoff and Arnoud Lagardere say the
company is uncertain of Airbus' ability to launch the A350XWB right
now. In a joint interview with Les Echos, they said they intend to
make a decision in the next few weeks.
Bischoff said, "All of the shareholders are totally behind this
program. But before we launch it, we must assure ourselves that we
can do it, both technically and financially. That is what we are in
the process of examining. We will make a decision in the coming
weeks."
According to Lagardere, the A350 program is necessary because of
Boeing's 787, but, "we must first bring together all of the
technical and financial conditions for its success."
Earlier this week, ANN reported Airbus' loss of
its CEO Christian Streiff amid disagreements with EADS over
Streiff's proposed restructuring plan. Streiff stepped down after
less than 3 months as Airbus' CEO when it seemed EADS would bow to
political pressure from countries sure to lose jobs under his
plan.
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