Airbus recalculates its superjumbo math

Expatica (AFP) ^ | Oct 19, 2006

[trashcanbred]

PARIS, Oct 19, 2006 (AFP) - Delays to the Airbus A380 superjumbo jet program mean that it will now have to sell 420 planes to break even compared with a previous estimate of 270, the parent group EADS said Thursday.

The plane has an average catalogue price of EUR 244 million and 159 firm orders have been received so far from 16 airlines.

The negative financial impact of the delays, which now stand at almost two years, will lead to a loss of earnings totalling EUR 6.3 billion between now and 2010, the European Aeronautics Defence and Space Company said.

This year, the delays would trim EUR 1.1 billion from core profits, expressed as earnings before interest and tax (EBIT), EADS added.

In an interview with the Wall Street Journal Europe published earlier in the day, EADS co-chairman Thomas Enders said Airbus would close factories and shed jobs if necessary, even in the face of objections by unions and politicians, to turn Airbus around.

"Everything is on the table," the newspaper quoted Enders as saying.

[trashcanbred]

Ouch... some of these stories almost make it sound like the A380 is going to bust the company..

[mvpel]

Government-backed "companies" can never go bust, unless they finally and completely bankrupt the taxpayers who are forced to shoulder the burden.

[Niteranger68]

[N. Theknow]

Airbus Nicht Fly.

[avg_freeper]

It's good to know that I wont have to bail out this floundering company.

Sucks to be Euro though....

[ALOHA RONNIE]

.

Let the French Taxpayers eat cake, circa 2006..?

.

[Boiler Plate]

How long did it take Boeing to sell 500 747s? Airbus may never get there.

[Wings-n-Wind]

A-380...Hmmmm

Stick a fork in it...
It's done...

[trashcanbred]

According to http://www.century-of-flight.freeola.com/Aviation%20history/aviation%20timeline/1980.htm it completed it's 500th on December 9th,1980. Since Boeing started production in 1970, that would make 10 years.

[Boiler Plate]

Thanks. This doesn't paint a pretty picture for AB. In 1970 there wasn't anything like the 747 the DC10 and L1011 did not come around for a few years. AB may have lost big time on this bet. I guess the question is how much are these euros willing to soak the general populace in order to keep AB afloat?

[trashcanbred]

According to Wikipedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_747, the from 1990 to 1996 there were 342 747's delivered. From 2000 to 2006 there were 141. Not a pretty statistic.

The Factory in Everett is a very neat place to visit but it was sad to see so "little" work being done.

[Boiler Plate]

So over 36years there have only been about 1400 747s built. Many are still in use and with the new 747 800 and 787 coming out it the market for the 380 is getting smaller. I don't think they will ever make a dime off of the 380 and are problably hoping to just come close to breaking even.

[AxelPaulsenJr]

Ouch... some of these stories almost make it sound like the A380 is going to bust the company..

If not to weaken Airbus's position in the global market, isn't that pretty much the case? In this time of high fuel prices, isn't trying to sell a giant like the A380 just like trying to sell the gas guzzling suvs? Not to mention the time wasted on developing the A380 might have been better spent on developing smaller more fuel efficient aircraft.

[lowbuck]

"But trade unions and some politicians in France and Germany have warned of the possible consequences. . . "

Sadly, you are right, the European politicians will not let this company go under and they will find some way to slip them the money needed to keep going. It does suck to be a taxpayer in Euroland already, but, this is just a bit more tribute for the king and his projects!

[Ready4Freddy]

ping

[null and void]

I like your tagline...

[TChris]

Memo to Europe:

Socialism still doesn't work as well as Capitalism.

Best regards,
The USA

[Ready4Freddy]

Stole it from a post here at FR, like all (most?? :) good taglines... ;>)

The entire phrase wouldn't fit, it was something like "...Trouble is, no one knows what that difference is."

[Ready4Freddy]

Hate those darn commas at the end of a link - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_747 Looks like Boeing has 41 firm orders for 747s per their site. Not bad for a 36 yo plane.

[Paleo Conservative]

How long did it take Boeing to sell 500 747s? Airbus may never get there.

I'm not sure when it was sold, but the 500'th 747 was delivered in 1981 which was 12 years after the first deliveries. Boeing delivered 4 in 1969, 92 in 1970, and 69 in 1971. Two years after Boeing received the FAA certification for the 747-100 on December 30,1969, they had delivered 165 747's. I can't see Airbus delivering their A380's that fast.

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