Pandemic bursts Toulouse aerospace bubble

Industry crisis: An Airbus A330neo being assembled at Airbus’ headquarters near Toulouse. Once basking in wealth from air transport, France’s fourth-largest city has been ravaged by Covid-19. — Reuters

TOULOUSE: Barely three months ago, Serge Dumas had one problem: how to keep up with record demand for the metal fasteners and bolts his small aerospace supply firm manufactures just north of Toulouse.

Now, the head of Gillis Aerospace is wondering how to keep his 45 employees busy as Europe’s aerospace capital reels from plummeting jetliner demand caused by the coronavirus crisis.