Airbus consortium forms (1970)
France and West Germany launched Airbus as a state-backed consortium in December 1970, later joined by Spain and the UK. The stated goal was to challenge Boeing's dominance in commercial aviation. Early years required heavy government orders and subsidies.
Airbus lost money for over a decade and depended on European flag carriers for early orders.
By 2003 Airbus delivered more aircraft than Boeing for the first time. The two companies have split the global commercial aviation market roughly evenly since.
European industrial policy can challenge entrenched US dominance, but it takes decades and tolerates losses. Quantum buildout uses the same playbook: state capital, multi-country coordination, patience.
