In response to Julian Flood: Airbus beware, political planes never get off the ground, John P Hughes wrote:
Thank you. Interesting article. The implication is that Airbus knows very well that it cannot replace its British expertise in developing and constructing wings for its various types of jet aircraft. So the implied threat to the British part of the company which designs, develops and manufactures the wings is got up by the German and French Governments. They are major shareholders in Airbus and effectively determine who are its directors. The UK Government disposed of its shares in Airbus some 20 years ago, which it no doubt now regrets.
Unmentioned in the recent talking-up of this subject is that Rolls-Royce supplies many of the aircraft engines to Airbus – and RR competes with Pratt & Whitney from the US. So the UK leaving the EU will not affect whether RR continues to have the business as its main competitor is also based outside the EU.
