Airbus planemaking chief frets over suppliers but sees no Boeing strike impact

Europe's Airbus swung the spotlight on major suppliers after a drop in September deliveries that its planemaking chief called "disappointing" on Friday, but sought to allay concerns over industrial contagion from a strike at rival Boeing. Christian Scherer, CEO of the group's planemaking business, said engine supplies from CFM International continued to play a decisive role in its ability to deliver some airplanes after a drop in supplies earlier this year. "CFM is a bottleneck," he told French journalists, adding it remained on the "critical path" - industry jargon for the decisive factor in hitting production or industrial goals. CFM provides most engines for the best-selling A320neo family. "I regret it, but it is the case," he told the AJPAE aerospace media association. Airbus lowered industrial targets and issued a profit warning in July, citing a shortfall in supplies of engines from engine maker CFM, co-owned by GE Aerospace and France's Safran, as well as shortages of parts from other suppliers. CFM declined comment. GE Aerospace CFO Rahul Ghai told a Jefferies conference last month that third-quarter engine output would be better than in the second quarter, "but still (show) pressure on a year-over-year basis". He expected more improvement in the fourth quarter. Airbus deliveries fell 9% in September to 50 jets, prompting some analysts to question its ability to reach the 11% rise needed to meet a full-year targets of 770.<br/>