Why Airbus isn’t happy about rival Boeing’s issues

European aircraft manufacturer Airbus has expressed its discontent over the ongoing troubles faced by Boeing, according to statements made by its chief financial officer, Thomas Toepfer.

In an interview with CNBC’s Charlotte Reed, Toepfer conveyed Airbus’s dissatisfaction, stating, “We’re not happy with the issues that our competitor’s having. I think it’s not helpful for the industry, and if it’s not helpful for the industry, it’s not helpful for Airbus.”

Toepfer emphasized Airbus’s confidence in its products, citing a robust order intake throughout 2023 and into 2024 as evidence of their market strength.

Boeing has been grappling with a series of challenges that have proven costly both financially and reputationally.

Most notably, a door plug malfunction on a 737 Max 9 aircraft during an Alaska Airlines flight in January triggered a lawsuit and a Federal Aviation Administration investigation.

This incident follows two fatal crashes involving the 737 Max in 2018 and 2019, which severely undermined public trust in Boeing and raised significant questions about its organizational culture and quality control measures.

Airbus incidents

As concerns mount over the speed of production amidst a capacity crunch in the airline industry, Airbus remains vigilant about ensuring such incidents do not occur within its operations.

Toepfer outlined Airbus’s commitment to enhancing production processes and investing in long-term product and technological advancements to maintain a high standard of safety and reliability.

While many aviation industry leaders, including those with substantial Boeing orders, have expressed ongoing confidence in the company, recent events have prompted some to voice their apprehensions.

Reports indicate that a group of airline chief executives sought a meeting with Boeing’s board to address concerns surrounding the Alaska Airlines incident and production challenges.

Alaska Airlines CEO ‘anxious’ for Boeing 737 MAX 10 deliveries.

737 Max crisis

Michael O’Leary, CEO of Ryanair, a major Boeing customer, openly criticized Boeing’s handling of the 737 Max crisis and its leadership, emphasizing the critical role the aircraft plays in his company’s fleet strategy.

As Boeing navigates these challenges, observers and industry insiders, including former NTSB investigator Alan Diehl, stress the need for Boeing to address underlying cultural issues to ensure long-term success and restore confidence among stakeholders.