A spokesman for Airbus said on Monday that the EADS-owned Toulouse-based aircraft manufacturer, is to cut the number of suppliers from 3,000 to around 500, a number seemingly plucked out of thin air and probably very optimistic.
The problems associated with the new A380 and to a lesser extent the A340/A330 series will have a serious knock on effect at the company”s British factories in Chester and Bristol, and myriad of suppliers. Engine supplier Rolls-Royce has already announced a one year delay on its Trent 900 production for the super jumbo. The structure of Airbus is such that the real culprits, French/German politics and the Toulouse management team, will be least affected.
From a practical point of view making the cuts will be difficult. Most components are subject to a long and arduous design and certification process that is not easily transferable.
"I can confirm the number of suppliers that will be cut, but for the time being I do not have any information on who will be cut and how the cuts will be made," the spokesman said.
Another indication of the health of Airbus will be shortly known with the publication of EADS nine-month earnings.
On the commercial front the narrow body A320 series continues to be a success although there are still question marks regarding the need for two production lines and a third planned for China. With the exception of an increase by Qantas, orders for the A380 have stagnated and are unlikely to increase until the aircraft actually goes into service and operational problems ” plus passenger reaction ” considered.
Airbus twin aisle products ” the A330 and A340 with a common hull ” continue to sell in modest numbers, probably with major discounts, whilst the airline industry awaits confirmation of the specification for the so-called A350 XWB.
Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker yesterday said that he was going ahead with an order for 50 but this may be just window dressing by the astute airline chief, celebrating ten years in charge. As with the rest of the industry he knows full well that Boeing needs competition, a vibrant Airbus that is essential for the growth of his airline, and others.