Originally Posted by
Bidule
Ah, right - a bit like my local supermarket selling baked beans at a loss, in order to get customers through the door.
From the article you linked to:
Interestingly, Leeham also reports on a question of finances asked by Reuters Aerospace News. Airbus received launch aid from Germany to the tune of $600m. However, this has not been paid back. The Reuters reported questioned why, if the project had been considered a success. Reports indicate that Airbus did not answer the question.