Airbus delays A380 deliveries again

Airbus delays A380 deliveries again

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   Airbus is informing customers about changes to its delivery schedule for the A380 'superjumbo.'
   The European plane maker said that a review of the program showed that the steep ramp-up plan initiated in 2006 is now impossible. 'Time and resources needed for Wave 1 production aircraft (what Airbus calls low rate individual production) are higher than expected, and this has created some delay in the changeover to Wave 2 (full serial design and manufacturing process).'
   Airbus said the recovery program that started in summer 2006 is overall progressing well with four aircraft delivered as planned and in operation on long-range routes. Seventeen aircraft are in various stages of production, mainly in the wiring installation and system testing phases. Most aircraft earmarked for delivery in 2008 have already flown.
   As a result of the review, Airbus now plans for 12 deliveries in 2008, instead of 13 originally scheduled, and 21, instead of 25, in 2009.
   Details about the new plan and the further ramp-up and delivery slots in 2010 and the following years will be discussed with customers in the coming weeks, Airbus said.
   'The results of this review do not, at this stage, cover the financial impact. The extent of the additional costs will be influenced by the actual production and delivery scenario. This will follow discussions with the customers and a more precise evaluation of the implications of the new delivery schedule for 2010 deliveries and beyond. This will therefore take some more time to determine.'