http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6035357.stm
Airbus parts company with Streiff
The chief executive of troubled plane maker Airbus has resigned following a day of speculation that he was to go.
Christian Streiff is to be replaced by Louis Gallois, co-chief executive of Airbus parent company EADS.
Mr Streiff had been trying to push through reforms to recover from major delays in the production of the Airbus A380 superjumbo.
He took over as CEO in July, replacing Gustav Humbert who was ousted along with EADS co-CEO Noel Forgeard.
Mr Gallois is a former head of French state railway company SNCF.
He will combine the top job at Airbus with his current role as joint head of the Franco-German defence group EADS.
Wiring problems
Outgoing Mr Streiff, 52, had been a former executive of French building materials group Saint-Gobain.
With its A380 superjumbo now put back by two years, Mr Streiff was said to want more cash to tackle the matter.
Mr Gallois was formerly head of SNCF
French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin defended Mr Streiff at the weekend, saying he saw no reason for him to resign.
Then, Mr Villepin said Mr Streiff was "doing tremendous work".
The opinion of the French government is important, because it owns 15% of shares in Franco-German EADS.
The development of the A380 has been blighted by delays.
Airbus has sold 159 of the $250m (£134m) jets to 16 airlines, many of whom are already demanding penalties for late delivery.
The airline currently plans to cut $2bn in costs from 2010 onwards, a move that has caused concerns in France, Germany and the UK, where the bulk of its manufacturing operations are located.