A380 programme yet to clear hurdles, warns Airbus CEO
15 Oct 2007
As per schedule, Airbus plans to deliver 13 of these super jumbos next year, increasing production to four a month by 2010.
After delivery of the first four aircraft to Singapore Airlines, Airbus engineers will have to redesign cabins and electrical layouts for planes for Emirates and Qatar Airways. Software, which would automate installation of wiring, will not be used until the twenty- sixth plane, to be rolled out in 2009. Enders also added that in any case he couldn't guarantee that A380 production would reach 13 aircraft next year.
``We have every confidence we can deliver, but what is guaranteed in life?'' he said at the press conference. ``I wanted to dispel the belief that everything else is a walk in the park, a piece of cake. There is hard work ahead of us.''
To date, the A380 has 181 orders at a list price of $319 million. According to market sources, early buyers may receive a discount of as much as 40 per cent and the prices would be reduced for bulk orders as well. According to Enders, the potential market for the A380 is a total of 1,200 aircraft.
Early on last week Airbus Chief Commercial Officer, John Leahy, said on Oct. 12 that Airbus expects to sell at least 800 of the A380s over the first 20 years that the plane is expected to remain in service.
In an interview, Leahy also mentioned that Airbus's Power 8 cost-cutting plan is ``on track'' and aircraft production was increasing. However, he mentioned that the weakness of the dollar was still hurting the company, with every 10-cent drop costing 1 billion euros.
To date, multiple delays in the A380 programme have resulted in massive write-offs and a restructuring plan that will see 10,000 jobs being removed from the rolls over four years.
