Posted on 06/02/2005 12:09:51 PM PDT by Righty_McRight
PARIS (AFX) - Emirates Airlines CEO Tim Clark said that any delay of over 6 months in the delivery schedule for the Airbus SAS A380 'superjumbo' would be a "serious issue".
Emirates is the the biggest customer of the A380 with an order for 43 planes, and has been expecting to take delivery of the aircraft in Oct 2006.
In a statement received here, Clark said he expects to receive word on the delivery schedule in the next 1-2 weeks, and added that if the expected delay is restricted to a few months, then that "is not a huge problem for Emirates if it is known in advance".
But, "a 6- to 12-month delay would be a serious issue for the carrier... because it would substantially slow down Emirates' ambitious growth plans," Clark said, according to the statement.
Airbus is 80-pct owned by European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co, and 20-pct by UK group BAE Systems PLC.
The Emirates CEO made no comment about the issue of compensation, fears of which have sent EADS shares tumbling today after Airbus said deliveries will be pushed back by 2-6 months. The comments came after Australia's Qantas Airways said its order of 12 A380s has been delayed for at least six months.
In mid-May however, a spokesman for Emirates said that the Dubai-based airline would insist the delivery date is respected and will have rights to compensation should that prove impossible.
Clark said today that he was "not surprised about the delay," which he characterised as "a common occurrence in new aircraft launches".
Airbus had already warned earlier this month that delays were probable, due to problems with suppliers and various development issues for the new plane.
A380 deliveries are now scheduled to begin in the second half of 2006, with Singapore Airlines Ltd expecting to maintain its position as the first customer.
why would i or you want to spend three hours at the air port to get on this ship, and then another two hours to disembark...if flying like let's say chicago to paris? what am i saving about one hour flight time? but total time at the airports actuall exceed what you would spend now, or am i wrong?
A380 delay ping. Do you recall who it was who had a bet over this ?
Hey Tim, try Boeings new Dreamliner! It will keep your fuel cost down, and they will deliver on time!!
What will really get tricky is that the Chinese are going to freak if they don't get their planes in time for the Olympics in '08.
looks like trouble for the airbusboys...
And if the 787 isn't big enough, well, the 747-400 is available *today*, with the 747 Advanced in the wings, so to speak.
It is more than just loading/offloading or baggage claim.
What about customs? I do not see that changing at all. Imagine 800 people going through the same customs area (usually servicing MORE than just one aircraft at a time), 800 people trying to rent cars, find taxis, or use the service phones to find a hotel. How about 800 people with someone who has to park in the garage and then find their arriving someone?
800 seats sounds good IF the other infrastructure is there to handle the people moving task. I imagine they said much of the same stuff with regards to the 747.
And the infrastructure in most places *still* has problems handling multiple simultaneous 747 arrivals...
Ho, Ho.....
The Froggies have their tit in a wringer. The UAE types will tighten the screws a little to extract a little blood...... not enough to kill mind you, just enought to make the French government increase the subsidies.
I hate to see businesses fail, but I think Boeing took the right approach. I like jet travel whereby you are board and depart quickly and the flight direct.
I cannot see spending extra time to board, depart, customs (as you point out), renting cars extra. Unless you're talking about flying direct from New Dehli to New York or New York to Japan, or Chicago to Australia etc.
Wouldn't the infrastructure problems be more of a serious issue to their "ambitious growth plans"?
Probably, but not having the airplanes they need would be worse.
Your so correct. The reason for the delay is the time required to paint the bulls eyes on the side of this flyng coffin.
So did the A-380 pass the safty test yet?
"The Froggies have their tit in a wringer."
Gosh, that has to hurt big time! Ooowwwwww!
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