For Better, Or Worse...

Is it an impressive display of technological advancement... or an oversized representative of recent whale-sized missteps in the world of commercial aviation? We don't mean to sound like we're bashing Airbus... but with the A380 superjumbo on display, and flying in the skies over the Farnborough Air Show, it's a question many are asking.

This week's exhibition in Farnborough is the second trip for the "whalejet" in so many months... and while the mammoth plane is impressing crowds at the international event... the New York Times reports it could be a reminder of the recent bad times at Airbus more than it is a sign of progress.

As Aero-News reported last week, Farnborough may have come at an awkward time for Airbus, as delays in the A380 program are costing the company billions... and, along with a stock scandal... cost former CEO Noel Forgeard his job.

In fact, the Times reports, some are saying Farnborough hasten Forgeard's departure -- as nobody wanted a lame-duck CEO representing the company at the biggest aircraft buying bazaar in the world.

"Three years ago, all the headlines were about Boeing," said industry analyst Howard Rubel. "Now they are about Airbus. The question is, How long until they recover? Airbus is trying to come up with something. They are not just on Plan B, but on Plan C or D."

Nonetheless, because of its size and sheer novelty, the A380 is at center stage near London this week... as Airbus continues trying to right itself in waters that have only recently become so choppy. That fact is not lost on new Airbus CEO Christian Streiff, either.

"I would like to say today that restoring customer confidence, stabilizing production, securing timescales and recovering the industrial ramp-up (of the A380) are urgent priorities and my main focus," Streiff told reporters Monday.

FMI: www.airbus.com