Mobissimo

Airlines, disappointed over delays in the much awaited Airbus 380, have taken action against Airbus. Major airlines Qantas, Singapore, and Emirates have demanded compensation for the delays and in Singapore's case, ordered planes from Airbus' rival Boeing.

They also raised questions about the European planemaker's management and strategy, and the future of the double-decker A380. Boeing is staking its bets on a smaller, more fuel-efficient model.

Singapore Airlines, one of the world's top carriers and the first to buy the A380, said it was unhappy with the delays Airbus announced Tuesday. It demanded compensation and, on Wednesday, worsened the blow by announcing it would buy 20 Boeing 787-9 aircraft worth $4.52 billion and take options on another 20 planes.

Seriously, having the Airbus project managed by the parent company European Aeronautic Defense & Space Co., was a mistake waiting to happen. Cost over-runs, poor management, and of course delays have plagued the EADS since the inception. But having Europeans build airplanes? It's like asking Americans to excel in soccer ... er ... football.