EADS Shares in Tailspin on Airbus Delays

PARIS - Shares of Airbus' parent company plummeted Wednesday after new delays in the delivery of the A380 superjumbo raised questions about the company's management and strategy.

The selloff came after Emirates Airlines said it is reconsidering its order of the double-decker A380, the world's largest passenger aircraft — exacerbating an already delicate situation for European Aeronautic Defense & Space Co. and its largest subsidiary.

Singapore Airlines and Qantas Airways, which also have large A380 orders, said they are seeking talks with Airbus and want compensation. Malaysia Airlines also was reviewing the terms of its agreement with Airbus to buy six A380s.

Singapore Airlines also delivered a second blow to Airbus by annoucing it will buy 20 Boeing 787-9 aircraft for $4.52 billion and take options on another 20 planes. Airbus had hoped the Asian airline would be one of the first and biggest customers for another new model, the A350, that would compete directly with Boeing's 787. But airline and leasing company dissatisfaction with the design of the A350 has led Airbus to consider a costly redesign of the plane, delaying its launch for several years.

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This is a continuing tale of strategic blunders of management, throwing all hands at the "AirSUV" A380 and pooh-poohing the tech-laden fuel-mizer 787 segment.

Boeing's 787 production line capacity is spoken for as far as the eye can see. A350 version 1 2 3.... is a second guess to the original mgmt strategy

Dont forget to mention bottle necks in production

BAE suggests it may be a move by EADS trying to reduce share cost thus making it easier to EADS to come with BAE´s stock acquisition.