A380 delivery schedule pushed back a year
Airbus’ problems with the A380 have mushroomed into a full-blown crisis after the European aircraft maker on Tuesday announced yet another delay in its delivery schedule for the massive new plane.
Airbus said the first deliveries of the plane will not occur until October 2007 because of continuing problems with wiring harnesses. In June, Airbus acknowledged that it had fallen behind schedule by six or seven months. Singapore Airlines subsequently had been scheduled to take delivery of the first A380 at the end of this year, after delivery deadlines earlier this year had slipped.
In September, Airbus alerted customers that it anticipated further delays but did not say when the planes would be ready.
Former Airbus Chief Executive Gustav Humbert took responsibility for production problems and resigned in July. He was replaced by Christian Streiff.
The A380 can transport 550 to 800 people depending on the configuration.
Airbus, which has spent billions of dollars developing the huge plane, could suffer serious damage if any of its A380 customers cancel their orders. Frustrated airlines said they are reviewing their options, but have previously indicated that they expect to be compensated for the delays. Singapore Airlines said it would proceed to take delivery of its first plane, but would review whether future traffic growth justified going forward with its full order for 19 aircraft, according to the Financial Times.
Express parcel carriers FedEx and UPS have ordered 10 A380s apiece.
Airbus said it underestimated the complexity of custom-wiring the airplane for each buyer. The company said the problem has been traced back to the late implementation of a 3-D digital mock of the aircraft and that installation training suffered as a result.
A380 delivery schedule pushed back a year
