Airbus Innovations Include Sharklets, Biofuels, Bionics

The emergence of “new competitors in very powerful places around the world” has led Airbus to pursue new technologies as a way to differentiate itself, according to strategy and future-programs executive vice president Christian Scherer. For instance, despite the tough economic times, the European airframer is investing around $2.5 billion in environmental research-and-development work this year alone.