Airbus Cautions Delivery Dates Not "Set In Stone"

Australian carrier Qantas reaffirmed its decision Tuesday to stick with the much-delayed Airbus A380... come hell or high water.

"Just as when we first ordered it in 2000, the aircraft remains the most suitable aircraft for Qantas to operate into the future on long haul routes between Australia and the United States and United Kingdom," Qantas executive general manager John Borghetti said.

As Aero-News reported earlier this month, Qantas even ordered an additional eight planes... despite the news the airline's original 12-plane order would be delayed two years due to wiring problems. Qantas will receive its A380s between 2008 and 2015.

Or will it? As it stands, Emirates is slated to receive the first customer A380 in October of next year... but the head of product marketing at Airbus, Corrin Higgs, cautioned that date isn't firm.

"I wouldn't say set in stone. I can't guarantee the future," Higgs told The Sydney Morning Herald. "I think we will make sure our predictions are correct this time because I don't think our customers are willing to accept further delays."

Airbus says the A380 is on track for certification before the end of the year.

FMI: www.qantas.com, www.airbus.com