Oh yes indeed, but the French have now go what they wanted, control of Airbus. They will do everything legal and questionable to keep this industrial disaster area afloat, as a sign of gallic pride.
If they subsidse the company, it will have Boeing complaining of illegal subsidies to prop up the company, possibly in contravention of WTO regulations.
The question is, do we want in the future only one monoply supplier of large aircraft, therefore demanding any price they care to name.
The compnay demands a regieme of restructuring, to sort out the problems of overmanning, inefficient management which has a structure like no other company, and too many production lines in diverse locations and even countries.
Airbus have less than half the orders to breakeven on previous cost projections for the A380, what if some airlines walk away and take Airbus to court for breach of contract or just downsize their order. Airlines with small numbers ordered may not be able to take a smaller number and find it a cost effective option.
The A400M is going to be even later, will countries meerly go and replace their Herks as an easier and assured option??