Airbus Finances
There seems to be some confusion about Airbus and its finances. It is well known in that Airbus is not really a profit making corporation but a consortium of several European governments. As such, its "books" are in effect not comparable to those of Boeing. In point of fact, Airbus has probably not made money on any of its planes except its narrow body A 320's.
Going forward, Airbus has two problems. First, ever diminishing finances of the governments which own it . Second, the disastrous ill-conceived poorly executed A380. The problems with this plane are legion. In essence, the A380 is a big old technology plane which is too expensive to operate unless it flies full or nearly so. The problem for Airbus, especially in light of having lost the subsidy battle, is that it has committed its strategy to a white elephant, thereby leaving the door open for Boeing to bring out a much more fuel efficient and forward technology plane at a later date. Airlines know this. Hence, the feeble rate of A380 orders.
