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Europe
Berlin Talks Tough On Planned Airbus Cuts
2007-02-06
Germany's economy minister has upped the ante in talks to restructure Airbus, threatening to cancel defense deals with Franco-German parent company EADS if the revamp claims too many German jobs. But commentators say it's an empty threat, and Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokesman has opted for a markedly softer tone on the issue.

German Economy Minister Michael Glos told Sunday newspaper Bild am Sonntag: "We insist that Germany remain a high-tech location for Airbus, especially where the manufacture of fuselages is concerned. If that isn't the case, Germany would have to reconsider its weapons orders at Airbus parent company EADS. We will not put up with the planned cuts to jobs and high-tech know-how in Germany under any circumstances."

Government spokesman Thomas Steg, asked to comment on Merkel's position regarding Airbus, told a regular news conference on Monday: "We're clear what Germany's interests are, but we don't make threats."
Posted by:Steve White

#6  And yesterday UPS announced it was buying 12 Boeing 767 Freighters. Did not say it was due to Airbust's incompetence, but UPS is the last confirmed order for the A380 Freighter, since Fedex already bailed.
Another plus for this is that it allows Boeing to keep the 767 line open for awhile until the USAF tanker contract is awarded.Airbust / Northrop-Grummand have already whined that they may not even bid if the requirements language is not to their liking. They were successful in getting anything that even remotely sounded like anti-EU stricken from earlier drafts, but if the requiremetns would feasibly allow Boeing to bid a 777 tanker they would most likely stick around, but a 767 sized aircraft only is probably a non starter. They are basing their bid on the A340 4-engined dinosaur.
Posted by: USN, Ret.   2007-02-06 14:57  

#5  <MrBurns>
Excellent!
</MrBurns>
Posted by: Tony (UK)   2007-02-06 03:02  

#4  George Will warned the A380 brouhahaha might cause a split between the Euros.
Posted by: JosephMendiola   2007-02-06 01:26  

#3  SteveS, you already know the answer.
Posted by: Steve White   2007-02-06 01:02  

#2  Poor Airbus - the red-headed stepchild of the skies. Are these folks trying to build airplanes or is Airbus simply a giant make-work project to create euro-jobs?
Posted by: SteveS   2007-02-06 00:58  

#1  Barbara Scolaut, pass the Lo-Carbon Gourmet Popcorn, please.
Posted by: Alaska Paul   2007-02-06 00:30  

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