Aircraft

French prime minister Dominique de Villepin has publicly thrown his support behind Airbus chief executive Christian Streiff, amid widespread reports he may be set to depart the airframe manufacturer after just a few months in the job.

Villepin told French television at the weekend that there is “no reason” why Streiff should resign and that he publicly supports him.

The comments came as media reports have in recent days quoted sources as saying Streiff is set to resign - or may have already done so - as a result of an apparent dispute with top executives from Airbus's parent company EADS over the autonomy he needs to turn the troubled airframe manufacturer around.

Streiff only became Airbus CEO in July after his predecessor was forced out following the admission of major delays to the flagship A380 programme.

Last week Streiff unveiled wide-ranging restructuring plans for Airbus as even more serious A380 delivery delays were announced.