Roundtable Discussion: “Competition and Collaboration in the Transatlantic Aerospace Sector”

12 May 2009 – 9am-1pm

In light of the recent trade dispute and the on-going commercial tensions between the two aerospace giants, Airbus and Boeing, a roundtable discussion was organized around the broad theme of “Competition and Collaboration in the Transatlantic Aerospace Sector.” On May 12, 209, the EUCE hosted expert Dr. David Thornton, of Campbell University, who gave the opening talk titled, “The Political Economy of the Airbus-Boeing Rivalry in Large Commercial Aircraft (LCA) Manufacturing.” Following Dr. Thornton’s presentation, Jimmy Burns, of Communication Services LLC, drew on his experience in the European banking and financial sector to speak on “The Role of SME Suppliers to Airbus and Boeing: An Investor’s Perspective.” Finally, Dr. Birchfield and Aerospace Engineering Ph.D. student, Timothy Gallahger, presented their research and co-authored paper, “Beyond the State-Market Paradigm: Political and Theoretical Implications of the Airbus-Boeing Dispute.” Aerospace Engineering Professors Dr. Brian German and Dr. Elena Garcia also participated in the discussions and provided valuable feedback to the panellists. Adding a business perspective, Mr. Bernard Anquez, Director of the Delta/Air France Alliance, also offered comments. An interdisciplinary learning network will be formed as a result of this initial roundtable discussion.