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Emirates reviews A380 order
Emirates is reviewing its order of the Airbus A380 after being advised of a further 10-month delay.
The biggest customer of the aircraft, Emirates has been told that deliveries of its first 43 aircraft will not now take place until August 2008.
Emirates’ president Tim Clarke said: “It’s a very serious issue. The company is now reviewing all its options.”
Another 15 airlines have ordered the Airbus, including Virgin, Lufthansa, Air France and Qantas.
Singapore Airlines will be the first to take delivery at the end of this year.
Industry observers said if Emirates was to pull its order, this would spell the end of the A380 programme.
Air France described the delay as “highly regrettable” after being informed by Airbus that its first aircraft will not be available until spring 2009 instead of 2008.
The French carrier, which has orders for 10 of the giant aircraft plus options for a further four, said negotiations with the manufacturer will be continued to “define the terms of our financial compensation”.
By Bev Fearis
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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