Airbus CEO warns of investment hurdles in France

Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury has warned that France and Europe face significant challenges regarding industrial attractiveness and competitiveness. During a hearing before the French National Assembly's Economic Affairs Commission, Faury described investing industrially in France as a “parcours du combattant” (obstacle course).

Faury highlighted several factors hindering growth, including high labor costs, the “over-transposition” of European directives, and excessive regulatory burdens. He noted a significant disparity in administrative speed, stating that industrial investments that take two years in the United States can take up to five years in France.

Comparing the current situation to the decline of the French automotive industry—which shifted from a major trade surplus in 2004 to a deficit by 2024—Faury cautioned that the aerospace sector's current strength is not permanent. He emphasized that the next decade is critical for the transition toward “the aircraft of the future,” requiring massive investment in decarbonized and competitive new models.