Airbus chief salesman John Leahy has surgery, gives first interview since A380 crisis

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.