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Emirates 'reviewing' A380 order Airbus super-jumbo in new delay
(about 5 hours later)
The biggest customer for Airbus' flagship A380 superjumbo says it is reviewing its options after being told of further delays to the plane. EADS has confirmed a further delay to the delivery of its giant flagship A380 super-jumbo of about a year.
Emirates said it has been advised of a further 10-month delay to its order, warning it could change its strategy. The Airbus parent firm will only be delivering one A380 aircraft in 2007, having previously promised nine.
The airline said it had been told it would not now get the first of its 43 aircraft until August 2008. Emirates, which has the biggest order of A380 airliners, will see its first delivery arrive 10 months late, and says it is now reviewing its options.
"It's a very serious issue," Emirates' president Tim Clarke said. "The company is now reviewing all its options." The delays are tipped to lead EADS to see operating losses of 2.8bn euros ($3.56bn) up to 2010.
'Irrecoverable expenses'
The firm aims to deliver 13 more A380 aircraft in 2008 and 25 the following year, it said in a statement. In 2010, a further 45 of the aircraft are due to be delivered.
Earlier, Emirates' president Tim Clarke reacted to the further delay by saying: "It's a very serious issue."
Germany's national carrier Lufthansa has been told it faces an extra year's wait - with the first of its 15 planes not available until summer 2009.Germany's national carrier Lufthansa has been told it faces an extra year's wait - with the first of its 15 planes not available until summer 2009.
Virgin, which has ordered six A380s, said it had been given details of the delays but was awaiting an official announcement from Airbus before commenting further. Virgin, which has ordered six A380s, said it had been given details of the delays and was also reviewing its options.
However Airbus said that it "could not elaborate on any details of private customer information on delivery timetables". "Cost overruns and late delivery payments will result in irrecoverable expenses," said EADS.
But in confirming the delays, Airbus also announced a cost-cutting scheme "to reduce costs, save cash and develop new products faster".
Penalty demandPenalty demand
The development of the A380 has been blighted by delays, partly linked to wiring problems - the cause of an earlier delay announced in June.The development of the A380 has been blighted by delays, partly linked to wiring problems - the cause of an earlier delay announced in June.
The 12bn euro ($14bn; £8bn) project is already more than a year late. The 12bn euro project is already more than a year late.
A380 ORDERS SO FAR Emirates: 43 aircraftLufthansa: 15Qantas: 12Air France: 10Singapore Airlines: 10Fedex: 10International Lease Finance: 10UPS: 10Thai Airways: 6Virgin Atlantic: 6Korean Air Lines: 5Etihad Airways: 4Qatar Airways: 2China Southern Airlines: 5Kingfisher Airlines: 5Malaysia Airlines: 6 Source: Airbus See EADS share price Analysis: Airbus problemsA380 ORDERS SO FAR Emirates: 43 aircraftLufthansa: 15Qantas: 12Air France: 10Singapore Airlines: 10Fedex: 10International Lease Finance: 10UPS: 10Thai Airways: 6Virgin Atlantic: 6Korean Air Lines: 5Etihad Airways: 4Qatar Airways: 2China Southern Airlines: 5Kingfisher Airlines: 5Malaysia Airlines: 6 Source: Airbus See EADS share price Analysis: Airbus problems
The planemaker has sold 159 of the $250m jets to 16 airlines including Emirates, Virgin, Air France and Qantas, many of whom are likely to demand penalties for late delivery of the aircraft. The aircraft maker has sold 159 of the $250m jets to 16 airlines including Emirates, Virgin, Air France and Qantas, many of whom are likely to demand penalties for late delivery of the aircraft.
The A380 will be the world's largest airliner - able to seat more than 800 passengers.The A380 will be the world's largest airliner - able to seat more than 800 passengers.
Have faith
Cancelled orders would be a blow to the programme - which is responsible for thousands of British jobs.Cancelled orders would be a blow to the programme - which is responsible for thousands of British jobs.
The GMB union, which represents many of those working on the A380 in the UK, urged airlines to have faith with the project.The GMB union, which represents many of those working on the A380 in the UK, urged airlines to have faith with the project.
"GMB believe that the delay is due to teething problems with the internal wiring circuits to operate the ancillary equipment such as the entertainment portals. It has nothing to do with the plane flying," said GMB national officer Keith Hazelwood."GMB believe that the delay is due to teething problems with the internal wiring circuits to operate the ancillary equipment such as the entertainment portals. It has nothing to do with the plane flying," said GMB national officer Keith Hazelwood.
"We are calling on the airlines with orders for the plane to bear with the teething problem. The A380 is a revolutionary project in civil air transport which will be a great success with the travelling public.""We are calling on the airlines with orders for the plane to bear with the teething problem. The A380 is a revolutionary project in civil air transport which will be a great success with the travelling public."