Hmm, perhaps Boeing didn't think of that - of exploring doing such a deal itself, I mean.
Because they didn't read my posts here and in Aviation Week ! ;-) I'm shocked, actually, and it reflects very badly on Boeing's management. It may also have been favoured by the affinity between Quebec and France. I'm curious what the political fallout in Canada will be, and no doubt the governments there will concentrate on investment recouped and try to forget about jobs lost. A very smart move on Airbus' part, given that their bottom end was not covered either.