Building the A380

Gavinsblog writes "The Independent has a report on the construction of the Airbus A380. Amazingly, a ship is being custom-built to ferry parts for assembly, a custom fleet of trucks are also to be used - with roads widened to suit. Oh and the assembly building is the size of two soccer pitches, and the height of an olympic swimming pool."

Comments

See a picture of the complex here

[DirkDaring]

http://www.airbus.com/airbus4u/photo_album.asp

Re:Popular Front for the Liberation of Europe

[rimmon]

>Um. Airbus is a French company. The only American carrier to order them thus far is FedEx.

No, it's not a french company.

Do you really believe that bullshit with FedEx being the only US (I asume you mean that by american?) carrier with Airbus planes in service?
Most likely you mean the only US carrier besides United Airlines, US Airways, Jetblue, Northwest, American Airlines, United Parcel Service, Frontier, GECAS, ILFC, America West and most other US based carriers...

go figure...

Re:Economy

[andyveitch]

There is something about the aircraft/airline business that just makes governments and investors throw money at them. The investor, Warren Buffet famously said that if he'd been around in Wilbur Wright's time he would have shot him before his first flight as a service to capitalism.

I agree with the general comments on world trade and subsidies but:

• Most of the money paid by European governments isn't subsidy, they are loans
• The total amount is $4b over a few years
• The US Senate has approve $10b in one year for loan guarantees for airlines
• The production has not scattered around entirely for political reasons, unless China is now part of the European Union?
• Military spending distorts the aircraft market more than anything else.

Enough economics. Can we go back to talking about computers & toys now?