Airbus

Your article (“Flying Into New Territory,” Nov. 21) perpetuated several myths regarding Airbus Industrie and its American competitors.

1. “European nations have invested $26 billion to build up Airbus . . . and the subsidies show no sign of ending,” you write. The $26-billion figure was manufactured by a Commerce Department consultant hired to produce a report and numbers favorable to the U.S. view. Why not also report that the subsidies are not grants, but loans, which are being paid off at the rate of $600 million each this year and next, $1 billion in 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 and $600 million each thereafter to 2006? The new A321 aircraft is being developed by Airbus-generated funds.

2. “Airbus recently won an order from Singapore airlines,” you reported, as a result of European nations awarding it landing rights. Singapore, in announcing it was rejecting the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 in favor of the Airbus A340, said its decision was based on the MD-11’s short-fall in range.

DAVID C. VENZ

Vice President, Communications

Airbus Industrie of North America

Herndon, Va.