Airbus confirms new A380 delays
13.05.08
Plane maker Airbus has warned that airlines face further delays in receiving the A380 superjumbo, the world's biggest passenger plane. The news comes less than a week after the European plane maker denied reports of fresh delays. However, a spokesman said today that more time and resources were needed to increase production, which will result in fewer deliveries than planned during 2008 and 2009.
Deliveries of the A380 are already running almost two years late because of delays centred on wiring problems in the giant planes. No details were given about the financial implications of the announcement.
Airbus plans to deliver 12 planes this year, instead of the 13 expected. In 2009, 21 A380s will be supplied against the previous plan to deliver 25. Deliveries for 2010 would be discussed with airlines in the coming weeks, a spokesman said.
British Airways has ordered 12 A380s, due to be delivered from 2012, while Virgin Atlantic has ordered 6, previously to arrive from 2013.
The fresh Airbus delays come at a time when its US rival Boeing is struggling to overcome its own production difficulties with its new ‘green’ medium-sized new Boeing 787 Dreamliner. BA is among a number of UK carriers which has ordered the 787, the first commercial flight of which has been put back several times.
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