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AVIATION -AIRBUS OFFICIAL QUITS |
Airbus vice president Blanc quits
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BY OUR AVIATION CORRESPONDENT
16th August,2005:Airbus has confirmed that its vice president Gerard Blanc has quit the European Aircraft maker.
Blanc was reportedly upset that he didn’t get the chief executive position due to the power struggle by the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company EADS, the parent company of Airbus.
EADS is a joint venture of several European firms and the French government.
Blanc has served Airbus for 40 years. Reoprts said carmaker Daimler Chrysler was behind the blocking of Blanc’s bid for the coveted post. Chrysler is a shareholder in EADS. Gustav Humbert got the job which Blanc was keen to get. It is not known why Daimler blocked Blanc’s bid.
Financial Times had reported that the bitter wrangling was behind Blanc’s exit from Airbus. A news agency today confirmed the story.
Financial Times story that Charles Campion will share the chief operating officer responsibilities with John Leahy, current chief commercial officer, has also been confirmed by the agency.
This is part of Humbert’s effort to reorganise the top management. Campion is presently director of the prestigious superjumbo A 380 project. A 380 is the world’s Biggest commercial airline. It can seat between 555 to 840 passengers.
Humbert faces an unenviable task of putting the delivery schedules of A380 which is reportedly six months behind schedule.
Airbus is also in a row with the US Government over the subsidies it has been granted by European governments.
Reports say the US government move has been prompted by Airbus’ arch-rival Boeing which is giving stiff competition to the European aircraft maker.
The 62-year-old Blanc eyed the top slot following the resignation of Noel Forgeard, 58, who quit to become Chief Executive Officer of parent firm European Aeronautic, Defense & Space Co.
Forgeard reportedly wanted Blanc as his successor, but the move was opposed by Manfred Bischoff, the representative of DaimlerChrsler in EADS. Bischoff is the co-chairman of EADS.Daimler Chrysler, which has 30 per cent stake in EADS, is the single largest stake holder.
BY OUR AVIATION CORRESPONDENT
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