Competing in The Sky

Whenever there is discussion about the rivalry between the European Airbus and its U.S. counterparts ((ECONOMY & BUSINESS, May 11)), the same old arguments about unfair competition crop up. However, you did not mention that the different versions of the Airbus are fitted with U.S. turbofans built by Pratt & Whitney and General Electric. The situation for the U.S. aircraft industry is therefore not as bad as you describe it.

Denis McKee

Reims, France

Although the Airbus is heavily subsidized by European governments and undercuts its competitors, it undeniably addresses the bottom line that airplane buyers are looking for: a quality product at low price. If American airplane manufacturers continue to blame the Airbus for their problems, they are deceiving themselves. It is time U.S. businessmen got rid of their complacency and took decisive steps to change the way they do business. If our airplane companies are unwilling to reorganize and cut costs, they are destined to follow in the footsteps of our steel, automobile and semiconductor industries.

Ajit Panse

Seattle