Airbus isn't a US company - ITA is specific to US companies in defense and aerospace.
There may be some funds available domestically which include it, but Airbus Industrie stock does not trade on any of the US exchanges.
All that aside, over the long run Boeing stock is a solid performer and they've been in tight jams, before.
You are exactly right. The only way to specifically buy Airbus in this country is through an ADR.
I could have also been more explicit to say that investing in an ETF is generally a less riskier proposition than investing in a single company. That is, assuming one invests only in the best possible ETFs.