Virgin747LGW From United Kingdom, joined Mar 2007, 225 posts, RR: 0 Posted (5 years 3 months 3 weeks 2 days 5 hours ago) and read 1370 times:
I understand that the Airlines wouldn't order an aircraft without it fulfilling their requirements but how important has John Leahy been to Airbus' success? Has he persuaded many Airlines to become Airbus customers or is the quality of the aircraft the reason?
Is he replaceable? or does he get credit for other peoples hard work?
Stitch From United States of America, joined Jul 2005, 26700 posts, RR: 83 Reply 1, posted (5 years 3 months 3 weeks 2 days 4 hours ago) and read 1327 times:
I am sure JL played no small part in Airbus' success, helped by Airbus' product line, of course.
AirFrnt From United States of America, joined Jul 2004, 2775 posts, RR: 43 Reply 2, posted (5 years 3 months 3 weeks 2 days 1 hour ago) and read 1238 times:
Quoting Virgin747LGW (Thread starter): I understand that the Airlines wouldn't order an aircraft without it fulfilling their requirements but how important has John Leahy been to Airbus' success? Has he persuaded many Airlines to become Airbus customers or is the quality of the aircraft the reason?
There is absolutely no doubt that Mr. Leahy has been the driver of Airbus's fortunes, both good and bad. He arrived as Airbus was bringing the A320 into the market, and it was as much his brash sales touch as the technical merits of the plane that made Airbus anything other then a forgotten line item in the French government budget. His overcommitments on customizability (which he needed to sell the A380) nearly destroyed Airbus. But he was also the person who had "the vision" that Airbus didn't have to be a niche player, and had the vision that Airbus could compete on equal footing with Boeing. There are several accounts of his meeting with Airbus management in the middle 80s that show just much he changed Airbus's mindset.
In my mind, Leahy is the Steve Jobs of Airbus. His touch is masterful, but he is also prone to a extreme cult of personality. Airbus wouldn't disappear overnight without him, but like Apple after Jobs left might just waste away.
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From United Kingdom, joined Mar 2007, 225 posts, 
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