Airlines around the world are angry with Airbus for delays in the delivery of its A380 superjumbo. Shares in Airbus’ parent company crashed and Boeing’s soared as repercussions of the production problems with the world’s biggest passenger plane resonated throughout the industry. Analysts say that the delay also raised questions about the European planemaker’s management and strategy, and the future of the double-decker A380. Boeing is staking its bets on a smaller, more fuel-efficient model. Since the 555-passenger A380 took a triumphant maiden flight last year over the Pyrenees, Airbus overtook Boeing in order numbers in 2001 and in deliveries in 2003 and until recently looked to be in robust shape. But the anger fueled by last Tuesday’s announcement of production bottlenecks with the plane’s electrical systems — the second major delay for the $300 million A380 — suggests a less rosy future for the planemaker. Airbus insisted yesterday that it was not the A380 itself, but minor production problems causing the delay.
Tags: Airbus, A380 superjumbo,
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