Baseler bashes the A350

Boeing Blogger-in-Chief Randy Baseler http://www.boeing.com/randy/ takes a couple shots at the new Airbus jet, calling it too little, too late to compete with the 787.

Key Quote: “Is this really an ‘all-new’ airplane? I don’t think so. At its heart, the A350 is still an A330 derivative. That’s why the A350-800, for instance, is less efficient than the 787-8 in fuel consumption, and falls short in maintenance, passenger comfort, and cabin environment.”

Baeseler also notes that Airbus maintains it doesn’t need European government loans to launch the new jet program — but seems poised to take them anyway.

Here’s the latest on that, from AFX http://www.forbes.com/finance/feeds/afx/2005/10/10/afx2267807.html and from the Associated Press http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D8D56OQG0.htm?campaign_id=apn_home_down&chan=db

Key Quote, from the AP story: “Launching the jet program last week, Airbus said the A350 had received ‘legally binding’ government funding pledges from France, Germany, Britain and Spain. But it said no aid would be paid out until 2007, ‘as long as there is a credible prospect of negotiations’ with the United States.”

Key Quote in the AFX story, from US Trade Rep Rob Portman: “We continue to be open to negotiations, but with a very clear understanding: that launch aid is unacceptable.”