Airbus Says Possible A380 Delay Next Year

[Gerald A]

May 6, 2008

Dubai airline Emirates, the biggest customer for Airbus's A380 aircraft, said the European plane maker notified that it may face further delays in the delivery of the world's largest passenger plane.

"It's very serious," Emirates President Tim Clark said in Dubai on Tuesday. "This will do us serious damage."

Airbus sent a letter to Emirates informing it of possible delays in its "wave 2" delivery of the A380. This would apply to A380s being delivered to Emirates in April next year, Clark said.

"We'll know in two to three weeks if it's ok or not," Clark said. Airbus did not explain why the deliveries could be delayed, Clark said.

Emirates expects to receive four A380s this year, one before the end of March 2009 and another 12 in the year to March 31, 2010.

Airbus declined to comment.

(Reuters)

Gerald