2006年VOA标准英语-Airbus Future in Question After Major Misstep

By Mil Arcega
Washington, DC
20 June 2006
 
watch Airbus Troubles report

Officials from the parent company of aircraft manufacturer Airbus are meeting in Germany to discuss aircraft delivery delays announced last week, which have cost the company billions of dollars. 

------------------------

 
Airbus aircraft on runway 
  
The A-380, the world's largest commercial plane, was supposed to lift European jet manufacturer Airbus to new heights of profitability.  Instead, the company appears to be crashing under the weight of production delays.

Parent company EADS lost more than $6 billion of its market value last week after Airbus announced the second delay since construction on the super jumbo jets began.

Richard Aboulafia   
  
Richard Aboulafia, an airline industry analyst¹ at Virginia consulting firm Teal Group Corporation, says Airbus may be learning that bigger is not always better. "I think Airbus has lost about 10 years in new product development money and they desperately² need to turn their attention now to the market that matters," he said.  "Obviously until they recover from this stumble, Boeing is the big gainer."

Shares of U.S.-based Boeing rose sharply after news of the Airbus delay.  Singapore Airlines, the first carrier to order the 555 passengers A-380, demanded compensation for the delays. Then it bought 20 of Boeing's smaller 787's for more than $4.5 billion.

"There's a strong risk right now because most of the world's airlines are shopping for planes that are smaller and the expectation was that Airbus would offer them something."

Computer prototype of Boeing aircraft   
  
Adding to Airbus's troubles are questions about how much the company's management knew about the delays.  Last week shareholders³ learned Airbus co-chief executive Noel Forgeard made $3 million after selling company shares.

Aboulafia said management changes may be necessary to restore the company's credibility. "Airbus needs to take action now.  It no longer has the luxury of time, it has to make sweeping⁴ management changes and it has to bring in leadership that really understands where the resources need to be devoted," he said.

At least four airlines say they plan to renegotiate their orders for the new Super Jumbo Jets.  Airbus warns delays and late delivery penalties could cut the company's operating profits by $625 million every year from 2007 until 2010

1 analyst   

n.分析家，化验员；心理分析学家

参考例句：

• What can you contribute to the position of a market analyst?你有什么技能可有助于市场分析员的职务？
• The analyst is required to interpolate values between standards.分析人员需要在这些标准中插入一些值。

2 desperately   

adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地

参考例句：

• He was desperately seeking a way to see her again.他正拼命想办法再见她一面。
• He longed desperately to be back at home.他非常渴望回家。

3 shareholders   

n.股东( shareholder的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The meeting was attended by 90% of shareholders. 90%的股东出席了会议。
• the company's fiduciary duty to its shareholders 公司对股东负有的受托责任

4 sweeping   

adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的

参考例句：

• The citizens voted for sweeping reforms.公民投票支持全面的改革。
• Can you hear the wind sweeping through the branches?你能听到风掠过树枝的声音吗？