Airbus: Our big jet is more better

Published 9:00 pm Thursday, November 17, 2005

Airbus is officially downplaying Boeing’s launch of the 747-8, the Associated Press reports http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/17/AR2005111700197.html from Kuala Lampur, the most-recent stop on the A380 road show.

Key Quote: “‘It will increase the competition with the A380 freighter, but at least we are glad that Boeing recognizes there is a market for aircraft (bigger than) the 747,’ said Charle Champion, head of the A380 program.”

Down the road in Seattle, Stan Holmes filed this report http://www.businessweek.com/innovate/content/nov2005/id20051116_370967.htm for BizWeek, in which he looks at how the 747-8 will put pressure on Airbus’ market for A380s.

Key Quote: “It’s hard to know if Airbus execs really believed Boeing would launch a newer version of the 747. … It had killed four potential new versions in less than 10 years. So, the stretched, refreshed, and distinctively shaped 747-8 won’t be welcome news at Airbus headquarters in Toulouse, France. The ‘A380 business case’ looks far better as a monopoly.”