Government Intervention
Would I be wrong in thinking that the “soft” loans that the EU member states have extended to Airbus over the years are not too dissimilar to the financial assistance packages that the US government has extended to distressed US carriers over recent years? This propping up of the airlines has effectively meant back door support, both for Boeing and Airbus by ensuring that leasing payments etc. can continue to be meet.
If the WTO take the EU to task on this one, the EU response should be simple; all areas of government financial assistance in aviation are to be included in discussions including foreign ownership of carriers, financial assistance to airlines and so on.
Aviation is best served by two or more airframe manufacturers, an Airbus or Boeing monopoly is undesirable, operators both in the US and else ware need choice.
If you want a level playing field, lets have one both for airframe manufacturers, but airlines at the same time. If you don’t like this prospect, please explain why one subsidy acceptable, and the other is not?