Airbus has confirmed that airlines may have to wait longer than originally expected for orders of its A380 jets.
The airplane manufacturers have admitted facing a struggle to increase production, and now require more time to complete orders. New targets from Airbus suggest that only 12 aircraft could be delivered in 2008 instead of the 13 originally planned. And following this, in 2009 21 additional Airbus are expected to be delivered, instead of previous plans to deliver 25.
Those most likely to be affected by the delay are Emirates, who have ordered more than any other airline. Whilst both British Airways and Virgin Atlantic both have orders for the A380, these are only due to be delivered in 2012 and 2013 and therefore are unlikely to be affected. The very first A380 arrived at Heathrow in March, operated by Singapore Airlines as part of the opening of Terminal 5.
