Airbus Executive Highlights Safety Concerns at Boeing

Christian Scherer, CEO of Airbus’ Commercial Aircraft division, expressed concerns over safety and quality problems at Boeing.

He noted that these issues, particularly a door plug blowout incident earlier this year, could undermine public confidence in air travel. Scherer’sScherer made his comments in an interview with the German weekly magazine WirtschaftsWoche.

Incident Overview:

Boeing has faced increased scrutiny since January 5, when a 737 MAX series jet’s door plug tore off mid-flight due to missing bolts.

This incident has intensified worries over factory controls and safety standards at Boeing.

Scherer emphasized that Boeing’s safety issues are problematic for the entire aviation industry, as they might lead more people to question flying safety. He described these problems as a “burden for the entire industry.”

Airbus’ Pricing Strategy:

Addressing speculation that Airbus might raise its jet prices in light of Boeing’s troubles, Scherer clarified that Airbus’s pricing strategy is driven solely by demand exceeding supply.

He dismissed the notion of opportunistic price hikes, emphasizing the uncertainty in predicting future market dynamics.

Market Implications:

Scherer pointed out that an “ailing competitor” like Boeing could behave unpredictably, potentially leading to a major sell-off if the company has a surplus of unsold planes.

This could have significant ramifications for the competitive landscape in the aviation market.