Ideally, Airbus would love it if they had NO competition. The reality is, they have competition as does every other company building aircraft.
No doubt Boeing, Bombardier, and others would love to have a monopoly, but alas, no such reality. Not even for a dominant player like Airbus.
Yes. Bombardier are building the C series in the face of extremely difficult markets, oil prices, competition, financial markets, you name it. But, they're likely to continue to remain in business, continue to press on until such time as they're bought out, find another investor, or simply close the doors. The slightest negative word about this company whether true or simply utter nonsense hammers their stock price. Idiotic "orphan" remarks by any Airbus executive, or anyone for that matter, is not only uncalled for but simply unprofessional. These comments are made simply in recognition of the threat Bombardier poses to a very small but significant sector of the passenger aircraft market. That in itself must be a compliment.
The safe bet is to predict this company will fail. A good bet is that they will be taken over. But the bet rarely offered is on their survival. I'm not so sure they're as doomed as some think. They might be, we'll see. For the C series isn't the only product this company sells and every time an aircraft sale is reported, it isn't the blow to Bombardier many seem to think it is. If it is, then it's a blow to whomever else doesn't get the sale, including Airbus, Boeing, Embraer, ATR, Mitsubishi, and Sukhoi. However, this point is rarely mentioned by the know-it-all smart alecs.
The fact they haven't sold a single C series in 18 months doesn't mean it's a bad aircraft or an unwanted aircraft. Nor does it mean there is no interest or market for it. This aircraft is going to sell. Of that I have no doubt.
Willie
