Sunday, December 14, 2008

Airbus will deliver 12 more A380s this year

Airbus A380

Airbus will meet its target of delivering 12 A380 super jumbo aricraft this year, the company's chief exceutive pledged recently, brushing aside reports that manufacturing and engineering difficulties had again put the project behind the schedule.

The 525-seat, A-380 has been plagued by delay due to missteps, technical setbacks, communication failures and financial improprieties that have tarnished Airbus' image. The first in a series of costly delays was announced in June 2005.

In May, the European planemaker cut its delivery forecast by one aricraft this year and by four in 2009, due to continued problems with the giant aircraft's wiring.

"I'm ready to take a bet that we will deliver more than 10 aircraft, more than 11 aircraft," CEO Tom Enders said. "The target is 12. I confirmed it two days ago, I confirm it today."

Enders spoke at a ceremony in the southern French city of Tolouse marking the hand-over to Australian carrier Qantas Airways of the first of the 20 A380s it has on order.

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