Airbus Woes No Boon for Boeing

The crisis in Airbus' widebody aircraft program has big implications for the world's two principal planemakers and for a handful of international carriers, but U.S. airline operators are offering a collective shrug.

Airbus said last week that its A380 deliveries would be delayed for a second time, raising fears about customer commitment to the controversial long-range plane that's capable of seating more than 500 passengers.

Investors fled the shares of European Aeronautic Defence & Space Co., which owns 80% of Airbus, and bid up the stock of competitor Boeing (BA Quote).

For Airbus, the timing regarding the A380 delay was made worse by the fact that it comes as the company is also redesigning its proposed new A350 amid far greater enthusiasm for Boeing's planned 787. ...