This Is A Commitment In Disguise

Boeing Thursday issued the following statement regarding the decision by EADS directors not to accept government launch aid for the Airbus A350. The following is the entire text of the Boeing statement:

Boeing reiterates its strong support for the US government's efforts to end launch aid, whether through a negotiated settlement or continued litigation at the World Trade Organization.

Today's actions are nothing less than the Airbus partner governments committing launch aid to yet another subsidized airplane, even though senior Airbus executives have repeatedly said their company has the funds to develop the A350 without launch aid.

Launch aid is a prohibited, market-distorting subsidy that is unique to Airbus. Launch aid is above and beyond the other forms of government support Airbus already receives -- tax relief, government-sponsored R&D, and government-paid infrastructure projects. A permanent and complete end to launch aid is necessary to ensure free and fair competition in the large commercial airplane market.

FMI: www.boeing.com