Sat, Sep 23, 2006
Angst Grows Over Continued Delays For The A380 Program
In what is likely to be
first of many unhappy customer reactions, Korean Air warned it
intends to seek compensation from Airbus. This follows the
planemaker's announcement of more delays in the A380 program.
Spokesmen for the carrier told Reuters, "We intend to seek
compensation from Airbus. We have yet to decide when, how and how
much. It will be clearer once Airbus clarifies its plans."
As ANN reported on Thursday,
for the second time in less than three months, Airbus announced
delays for their A380 superjumbo jet citing problems integrating
the 300 miles of wiring in each airframe.
Korean Air placed an order for five of the superjumbos in June
2003 with the first deliveries scheduled for February and March of
2008. Spokesmen for EADS, Airbus' parent, says they haven't
evaluated the full impact of the delays on delivery dates or final
costs.
Meanwhile, Singapore Airlines -- slated to get the first A380s
off the production line -- is exercising patience. A company
spokesman said, "We're in contact with Airbus. We're now waiting to
hear some firm details from them about the delays and how they will
impact on us."
Although delays are assured, neither EADS nor Airbus know
exactly when the A380 will begin shipping. EADS says it will likely
be a few months before the impact of all the problems can be
accurately translated into a delivery date.
Although the first announced delays in the problem-plagued A380
program resulted in the ouster of Airbus CEO Gustav Humbert, there
is no indication of whose head will roll this time, if any. But
that possibility would seem to be more likely if more customers
react as Korean Air has.
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