FRESH delays for Airbus’s flagship A380 programme are expected to be announced within weeks after a detailed internal study of the project, writes Dominic O’Connell. The admission of more hold-ups is likely to come after the completion of a “100-day” review by Christian Streiff, who was appointed chief executive of Airbus this year.If confirmed, the delays will be the third set announced in the past 18 months. EADS, Airbus’s parent company, is also likely to have to provide for extra costs on the programme.
The A380, which flew into Heathrow in May, is the largest passenger plane ever built. The first aircraft for commercial service are scheduled to be delivered in December to Singapore Airlines, which had planned its first flight from London to Heathrow before the new year.