Airbus adopting a “minimum-change approach”.

Tom Enders says EADS has become more risk-averse following its troubles with Airbus A380 production, instead adopting a “minimum-change approach.”

With this approach, the manufacturer is minimizing airframe and cockpit changes on new aircraft, such as the A350 XWB, and focusing more on “aircraft engines and all the systems that are related to engines,” said Enders. EADS also is increasing its emphasis on reliability, delivering aircraft on time with the promised operational ability.

 EADS CEO Enders jumping from the Airbus Military A400M airlifter when he wasn´t so risk-averse

“That drives us, where we can, to modify existing aircraft, rather than going into all new development with all the risks,” Enders said, citing the Airbus NEO program as an example. An Airbus spokesman at the luncheon noted that the “minimum-change approach” also reduces the time to market, is less labor intensive and uses fewer engineering resources.

Enders is not ruling out a second engine option for the A350 beyond the Rolls-Royce Trent XWB should a manufacturer provide a good alternative, but says the lack of an option is not hurting sales of the aircraft.

Based on the article “EADS Reviewing Revenue Goals” published in Aviation Week