Air Transport

Airbus’ chief salesman John Leahy has given his first interview since the emergence of the crisis in the A380 programme in June – telling the Seattle Times the launch of the A350-XWB, with a fully composite fuselage, is imminent and revealing that he has just had heart surgery.

Picture: Airbus

Highlights of the wide-ranging interview with the Airbus chief operating officer – customers are: 

• Imminent industrial launch of the A350-XWB with a carbonfibre-reinforced fuselage made from panels rather than a single piece like the Boeing 787.
• Leahy, 56, had heart surgery two weeks ago and has been told to slow down.
• Concedes Boeing to outsell Airbus this year.
• Does not expect any further A380 order cancellations.
• Industrial launch of A330-200 freighter within months.