Airbus Tells Porky Pies (Lies) - Quelle Surprise!

[Cpt. Underpants]

Airlines Haven't Put Deposits On Planes Yet​

Just how many aircraft did Airbus sell in 2005? And how many did the European consortium actually receive deposits for?

At the heart of those questions is the mammoth $10 billion deal Airbus announced during a visit by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao to France last December. Airbus reported China signed for 150 aircraft.

While it's true the "i"'s have been dotted on the deal, the Chinese airlines poised to receive the jets say they haven't paid any deposits on them yet.
"We have not made any down payment, as we still don't know how many A320 jets we will get," said an Air China Ltd. official to Reuters. The five other Chinese airlines involved reportedly made similar comments.

For an airliner order to be consider "firm", a deposit must be placed on the airframe. Airbus counted all 150 orders as firm when determining its 2005 record sales total of 1,055 aircraft, beating archrival Boeing by 53 planes.
An official with China Aviation Supplies Import and Export Group -- which represented the government in the purchase deal -- declined to comment on the matter, saying it was up to the individual airlines to handle their own financial affairs.

The airlines told Reuters that's true -- but that after the government decides how many aircraft each airline is to receive, each negotiates its own terms with the manufacturer. Such was the case in a similar deal Boeing reached with the Chinese last year.

Airbus maintains they've received deposits on all 150 planes... presumably, from the Chinese government directly.

"All the conditions which we usually set before reporting firm orders have been met. These include government approval and payment of deposits," an Airbus spokseman said.

 

[EuroWheenie]

Where is the lie? Do you understand how the Chinese buy aeroplanes? It's not the individual airlines buying initially, it's the government. In this case, the Chinese government has seen fit to purchase 150 of the A32x series, and will later on allocate them to individual airlines. Hence, no airline has made a deposit, rather the government had.

If someone was to do the same research on the recent Boeing sale of a fairly large number of 737s, you'd find exactly the same result. Only difference is, the media is less busy trying to bring Boeing down than it is with Airbus, especially the US media. Something about coming second in a race of two which does not play too well your side of the pond!

 

[habubuaza]

Boeing DOES NOT count orders made by the Chinese government that they don't have deposits on. Man, why can't you understand that Airbus has a major "Napoleon" complex when it comes to Boeing. They are OBSESSED with the perception of being number 1 for commercial airliners, and quite frankly they are making themselves look inept and pathetic. Airbus needs to concentrate on making and designing good airplanes which I believe they are capable of and let the chips fall where they may and forget all this other BS.

 

[hyflyt560]

Something about coming second in a race of two which does not play too well your side of the pond!

Why's the race about how many more airplanes Airbus sold than Boeing when Boeing spanked them in the dollar amount being sold?

 

[bocefus]

Maybe a more appropriate question would be; Why does Airbus sell airplanes in US Dollars and not Euros?

 

[EuroWheenie]

habu

Boeing DOES NOT count orders made by the Chinese government that they don't have deposits on.

Wrong. Check yourself; the 737 order is counted in.

Man, why can't you understand that Airbus has a major "Napoleon" complex when it comes to Boeing. They are OBSESSED with the perception of being number 1 for commercial airliners, and quite frankly they are making themselves look inept and pathetic.

Well, for all intents and purposes they are number one in terms or orders and deliveries, and has been so for a few years. I personally wouldn't call stating facts an obsession, but each to his or her own. Would you feel the same way if/when Boeing proclaims they're back in the No. 1 spot?

Airbus needs to concentrate on making and designing good airplanes which I believe they are capable of and let the chips fall where they may and forget all this other BS.

And fire their rather good marketing department? Why would they want to do that. And what is wrong with advertising the fact you're number one?

hyflyt

Why's the race about how many more airplanes Airbus sold than Boeing when Boeing spanked them in the dollar amount being sold?

Who sayes it is? Airbus sold more aeroplanes, mainly narrow-bodies. Boeing sold more wide-bodies, specifically the 777. Each wide-body costs, what, 3 times a narrow-body? No surprises there, and I've yet to see Airbus disputing the fact that Boeing sold more dollar wise. In fact, the only disputes I've seen come from the US. So who has a "Napoleon" complex?

bocefus

As does Embraer, Dassault and Bombardier. Same as with oil I presume, most things relating to aviation is priced in US Dollars, including spares and equipment.

 

[bocefus]

Duly noted, however you didn't answer the question. When you find the answer, you will also find out which firm is truly "number one".
Don't forget that BA has delivered more 737 models than the entire Airbus line.

 

[Junkflyer]

The great Airbus is now giving rebates to its A340-500 customers to hold on to them. That's because the customers wish they had bought Boeing instead.