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This is the plane we are all talking about. The super jumbo performing for the first time at Farnborough. But this is the man we came to hear, the new chief executive of Airbus, who again apologized for the crisis at his company and promised a new way of doing business.
"What we need now especially in this critical situation is not to haste, but to act quickly, act rapidly but without haste."
Key to the reform plan is this plane, the totally revamped A350 now with the initials XWB-- Extra Wide Body. The plane-maker is trying hard to win back the confidence of its customers.
And you don't deliver on a promise for a customer, that is the most serious which can happen for our companies.
Airbus will privately admit that the revamped 350 is the plane they should have offered a couple of years ago. Now it may be too late.
Boeing has already sold more than 400 of the dreamliner planes and it hasn't even built the plane yet. Having seen the Airbus's experience, Boeing knows only too well the problems it too may face.
Er,new airplanes are very difficult. That we are a little bit over and away from our target right now, a little bit behind the schedule in some areas, but we have plans and place to address both. They were on schedule for our first flight next year, and delivery in 2008.
If Boeing is feeling pleased with the way things are going, back at Airbus it's not entirely all gloom, the new chief is relishing getting to grips.
Are you enjoying yourself yet?
I'm, it's almost a dream, even if it's a crisis. No, it's a fantastic company, these are fantastic talented teams. Aircraft, and the aircraft is a fantastic object, and as a pilot, I am very close to paradise at the same time. As I am really working very hard, I know we have very tough times in front of us.
With such fresh determination from the very top of Airbus, the message is clear. Boeing, you may have the upper hand for the moment, but be warned. Badly bruised Airbus maybe, but the battle goes on.
Richard Quest, CNN, at the Farnborough air show
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jumbo:[only before noun] larger than others of the same type 巨大的
revamp:informal to improve the way something looks or operates by making major changes to it 修补
relish:to get great pleasure or satisfaction from something 得到满足
the upper hand :control or an advantage over a person or situation 优势
bruise:to harm someone's reputation or confidence 挫败
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