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01/06/2005
Airbus customers face delivery delay
Airbus customers are facing delays of up to six months for the firm’s new ‘super jumbo’, the A380.
Australian airline Qantas confirmed today that the delivery of its first A380 would be delayed by six months as a result of manufacturing issues at Airbus.
Qantas, which had ordered 12 of the new aircraft, said that they were now scheduled to take delivery of the first A380 in April 2007.
Qantas Chief Executive Officer, Geoff Dixon, said that the delay was “disappointing”. He said: “We have met all of Airbus’ deadlines for Qantas specifications, however we are developing contingency plans to ensure there is no impact on our schedules or available capacity during the six month delay.”
Mr Dixon said that the contingencies under discussion included delaying the retirement of a number of other aircraft, redirecting capacity and bringing forward the delivery of other aircraft on order. He said that Qantas would be working closely with Airbus to ensure that the new deadline was met and said that the airline would be seeking compensation from Airbus in line with the terms of its contract.
All airlines with early A380 orders are believed to be in the same situation. Singapore Airlines, who had been due to take delivery of the first A380s, also reported that their order had been delayed.
An Airbus spokesperson told the BBC that the delay had been caused by “a variety of things” but stressed that the A380 was still continuing to perform well in tests.
The announcement of the delays comes just over a month after the A380 successfully completed its first flight around the south west of France.
(KMcA/GB)
Australian airline Qantas confirmed today that the delivery of its first A380 would be delayed by six months as a result of manufacturing issues at Airbus.
Qantas, which had ordered 12 of the new aircraft, said that they were now scheduled to take delivery of the first A380 in April 2007.
Qantas Chief Executive Officer, Geoff Dixon, said that the delay was “disappointing”. He said: “We have met all of Airbus’ deadlines for Qantas specifications, however we are developing contingency plans to ensure there is no impact on our schedules or available capacity during the six month delay.”
Mr Dixon said that the contingencies under discussion included delaying the retirement of a number of other aircraft, redirecting capacity and bringing forward the delivery of other aircraft on order. He said that Qantas would be working closely with Airbus to ensure that the new deadline was met and said that the airline would be seeking compensation from Airbus in line with the terms of its contract.
All airlines with early A380 orders are believed to be in the same situation. Singapore Airlines, who had been due to take delivery of the first A380s, also reported that their order had been delayed.
An Airbus spokesperson told the BBC that the delay had been caused by “a variety of things” but stressed that the A380 was still continuing to perform well in tests.
The announcement of the delays comes just over a month after the A380 successfully completed its first flight around the south west of France.
(KMcA/GB)
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27 April 2005
Airbus A380 completes maiden flight
The world’s largest commercial aircraft, the Airbus A380, has successfully completed its first test flight. The A380 landed at Blagnac International airport in Toulouse, France at 14:23 local time, following a flight that lasted almost four hours.
Airbus A380 completes maiden flight
The world’s largest commercial aircraft, the Airbus A380, has successfully completed its first test flight. The A380 landed at Blagnac International airport in Toulouse, France at 14:23 local time, following a flight that lasted almost four hours.
18 May 2006
Airbus A380 lands at Heathrow
The world's largest passenger aircraft, the Airbus A380, has made its first landing at Heathrow Airport. The 240ft-long aircraft flew to London from Berlin on Thursday and landed at Heathrow's new £105 million pier 6 at Terminal 3. The A380 flew into Heathrow to test the airport's facilities, before returning to Berlin on Friday.
Airbus A380 lands at Heathrow
The world's largest passenger aircraft, the Airbus A380, has made its first landing at Heathrow Airport. The 240ft-long aircraft flew to London from Berlin on Thursday and landed at Heathrow's new £105 million pier 6 at Terminal 3. The A380 flew into Heathrow to test the airport's facilities, before returning to Berlin on Friday.
18 January 2005
Superjumbo Airbus A380 rolls out of hangar
The world's largest passenger carrying aircraft, the Airbus A380, is being unveiled this morning at a lavish ceremony in Toulouse, France.
Superjumbo Airbus A380 rolls out of hangar
The world's largest passenger carrying aircraft, the Airbus A380, is being unveiled this morning at a lavish ceremony in Toulouse, France.
18 January 2005
Hewitt praises British firms behind Airbus A380
Trade and Industry Secretary, Patricia Hewitt, has praised the four hundred British manufacturing firms who helped to deliver the world's biggest civil aircraft, which has been unveiled in France. The building of the Airbus A380 was the largest civil aviation project in the world.
Hewitt praises British firms behind Airbus A380
Trade and Industry Secretary, Patricia Hewitt, has praised the four hundred British manufacturing firms who helped to deliver the world's biggest civil aircraft, which has been unveiled in France. The building of the Airbus A380 was the largest civil aviation project in the world.
25 February 2008
Co-Pilot Dies During Cyprus Flight
A flight travelling from Manchester to Cyprus on Sunday was forced to divert to Turkey after the co-pilot collapsed and died. The GB Airways Airbus A320, which had 156 passengers onboard, left Manchester at 2.20pm bound for Paphos, but was forced to divert to Istanbul when First Officer Michael Warrren, 43, was taken ill.
Co-Pilot Dies During Cyprus Flight
A flight travelling from Manchester to Cyprus on Sunday was forced to divert to Turkey after the co-pilot collapsed and died. The GB Airways Airbus A320, which had 156 passengers onboard, left Manchester at 2.20pm bound for Paphos, but was forced to divert to Istanbul when First Officer Michael Warrren, 43, was taken ill.
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