Nose-Heavy A340-600s Cost Airlines Cargo Revenue

It's another weighty problem for Airbus... and this time, that's literally the case. Plagued by delays to its A380 superjumbo program and a costly redesign for its midsize A350XWB, now comes word the latest variants of the manufacturer's A340 widebodies are seriously nose-heavy.

The Times of London reports several airlines report the first and business-class sections of the A340-600s -- which often sport large seats, and heavy entertainment systems -- are considerably heavier than Airbus originally claimed.

The discrepancy throws off the long quad-jet's center-of-gravity; Airbus has recommended affected airlines carry about 5.5 tons less cargo in forward holds to offset the overweight condition -- about 10 percent of the A340-600's total cargo capacity.

“The A340-600 is a piece of spaghetti with wings," said aviation analyst Doug McVitie. Anything heavy at the front will therefore throw off the centre of gravity and that causes all sorts of problems.”

Airbus claims the problem is due to increasingly complex -- and ponderous -- upper-class amenities airlines are placing in their planes.

“As premium cabin interiors become more customised, the added weight of customisation must also be taken into account as a factor in the overall loading of the aircraft," said an Airbus spokesperson. "A heavier cabin in the front section where premium cabin products are normally placed therefore could reduce the cargo loading capacity in that section.”

The airlines, on the other hand, say Airbus misrepresented the maximum weight for forward sections of the plane -- and have threatened to sue for lost revenue incurred as a result of the heavier-than-expected airliners.

The A340-600 is flown by several carriers, including Iberia, Lufthansa and Virgin Atlantic. Analysts tell the Times the airliners could claim hundred of millions of dollars in compensation from Airbus... at a time the European planemaker is already compensating customers for the 22-month delay in A380 deliveries.

As Aero-News reported, Airbus is also reportedly offsetting price differences between the old-and-new-versions of the A350, in order to retain original A350 orders for the more advanced -- and more expensive -- XWB.

FMI: www.airbus.com