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Airbus A380 Development

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Not all bad for Airbus: they succeeded in getting a large Lufthansa order ;)

 

September 20, 2006

Airbus won a plane deal potentially worth over USD$4 billion from Lufthansa on Wednesday but faced rising media speculation that it will soon be forced to announce another delay to its new A380 superjumbo.

 

Lufthansa's supervisory board said it had approved plans to buy 30 single-aisle planes from Airbus's A320 family, would take options to buy a possible 30 more and would buy five of the larger A330 model.

A spokeswoman for Lufthansa declined to comment on whether the airline had received a special deal on the A330-300 planes in compensation for delays to the 15 A380s it has on order.

 

Lufthansa said it would decide on buying additional mid-sized and larger planes by year's end.

 

The deal marked a loss for Boeing, which had on offer its single-aisle 737, but the US plane maker is still in the running with its mid-sized 787 and the newest version of the jumbo, the 747-8.

 

Airbus is also keen to sign up Lufthansa for a desperately needed order for its fledgling A350 XWB model, and for additional orders of its A380 to prevent Europe's second-largest airline from replacing its large fleet of ageing Boeing 747s with newer ones.

 

Airbus's EUR12 billion (USD$15 billion) A380 program to produce a new class of mammoth plane is already overdue and triggered an EADS profit warning and management shake-up in June.

 

On Wednesday, a report in French newspaper Les Echos, which did not cite any sources, said Airbus could announce a delay of at least six months for its first deliveries to clients such as Air France, and only four deliveries next year to Singapore Airlines and Emirates.

 

"According to our information, the assembly problems at the Toulouse-Blagnac plant would not allow it (Airbus) to hold to its last pledge of delivering at least nine aircraft in 2007 (against 25 initially planned)," the newspaper said.

 

Air France confirmed that it had been informed by the plane maker that changes to delivery schedules were in the works.

 

"Air France, like other companies, has been informed that there will be a new A380 delivery program and we're waiting for Airbus to inform us on this matter," a spokeswoman for Franco-Dutch group Air France-KLM said.

An Airbus spokeswoman said the Les Echos report was "speculation".

 

"We have been undertaking a full review of the A380 program since the summer. It is not finished yet. We will communicate after the EADS board meeting on September 29," she said.

 

"We are of course very happy with their (Lufthansa's) decision, particularly coming from a long-time customer like Lufthansa which shows the interest in the market for our products."

 

An EADS spokesman in Germany said checks into the A380 delivery delays were not yet concluded. "There are still no results at present."

 

Analysts expect Airbus to announce the findings of a 100 day study into Airbus's operations ordered by new Chief Executive Christian Streiff in coming weeks.

 

Some expect Streiff to favor getting the bad news out of the way quickly, including a possible one-off charge in EADS's accounts stemming from delays in launching the mid-sized A350 model.

 

Airbus has struggled to market the A350 in the face of strong demand for Boeing's 787 which is due 2008, now likely beating the Airbus to market by four years.

 

So far this year, Boeing had taken orders for 585 planes, more than twice Airbus's latest tally of 222 as it struggles with its new models.

 

The A380's woes stem from complications in wiring the massive double-decker planes and have sparked calls for compensation from customers, some of which have hinted they might reconsider their orders.

 

Emirates has ordered 43 of the aircraft -- by far the largest order for the plane which has a list price of USD$300 million. It said at the weekend it had not yet considered cancelling its order.

 

(Reuters)

 

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Guess A380 customers will be asking for more compensations?? :rolleyes:

Edited by Tony

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R u sure this is not the same news you keep 6 months ago Edwin???? :D

Congrat on LH big time order, but less widebody, could their widebody replacement goes to Boeing???? This will be interesting to watch Pieter!!! :good:

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Saw it in CNN Business about an hour ago. And Qantas and SQ are angry. Sure they want some of their money back. Boeing is smiling that its 787 program is on track so far and the budget doesnt slip. 787 has a whopping 377 firm orders so far vs 380 at 159 firm only.

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Ladies and gentlemen,

 

Aireboos Indoostreee is proud to present you with a MASSIVE & NEW aircraft!!

 

Also in the package, NEW problems, MASSIVE delays! :good: ;)

 

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

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The only airline that is probably feeling happy at the moment is MAS :D. the most unhappy ones are SQ and QF :)

:rofl: :rofl: I couldn't agree more. Besides, it's like money falling down from the sky for MAS (compensation for the delay).

 

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Further delays for Airbus A380 :o :

 

September 21, 2006

Airbus revealed new delays for its A380 superjumbo on Thursday, blaming wiring installation problems which have already pushed the project a year behind schedule.

 

Bowing to pressure to confirm or deny reports of further delays, Airbus parent EADS said it was too early to say how long the additional delay would be or how much it would cost.

 

French newspaper Les Echos reported this week that airlines could face waits of at least another six months.

 

The EUR12 billion (USD$15.3 billion) program to produce a new class of mammoth plane has hit problems in fitting each jet's 500 km (300 miles) of wiring, culminating in a EUR2 billion (USD$2.55 billion) profit warning and management shake-up in June.

 

"Continuing industrialization challenges with the wiring of production aircraft have been identified and are being tackled," EADS said in a statement. "Consequently, from what is known today, there will be further delays."

 

Airbus Chief Executive Christian Streiff, appointed in July to sort out the crisis, had ordered a full report on the project by end-September. But on Thursday EADS said Airbus needed up to four weeks to complete it.

 

Streiff has already replaced the head of the A380 program.

 

"The fact that they are a month late with the audit is the worst news we got today," said one London-based aerospace analyst.

 

The delays are the latest blow to Europe's flagship project to build a double-decker airliner capable of carrying 555 people in three classes or more than 800 in all-economy seating.

 

Airlines are pressing for penalties for late delivery of the USD$300 million airliner, the largest ever built. "Most carriers who have ordered the A380 have hardened their position today," said one airline official who declined to be identified.

 

Dubai airline Emirates denied media reports that it was considering cancelling its order for 43 A380s worth USD$13 billion at list prices, by far the largest order for the plane.

 

"Emirates awaits clarification from Airbus as to when the rescheduled delivery dates are going to be, and has taken no position with regard to cancellation, compensation, damages, etc.," Emirates President Tim Clark said in a statement.

 

"Emirates is concerned primarily with establishing exactly when the aircraft will be delivered into the company in order that it can continue its planned expansion. There is no point in any further speculation," he said.

 

UK-based airline Virgin Atlantic said any further delay would mean its A380 deliveries would also be affected.

 

Airbus laid on glitzy celebrations of the A380's official inauguration and maiden flight last year, but the design team's euphoria wore off when the aircraft moved into production.

 

Assembly workers in Toulouse, southern France, have been bogged down for a year in airline requests for special cabin features and frills that affect each plane's wiring layout.

 

To save face, analysts expect the first A380 to be delivered to Singapore Airlines on time by end-December. But doubts have been growing over the schedule for 2007 and beyond.

 

(Reuters)

 

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Poor guy...

 

If there is problem, do you think SIA would fly even if delivered in time? I doubt that... Safety-first. So, the A380 is experiencing another delay after all... :huh:

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Boeing is smiling that its 787 program is on track so far and the budget doesnt slip.

 

Boeing is doing real well and took another 47 new orders yesterday:

 

September 21, 2006

Boeing announced new orders for 47 planes from unidentified buyers on Thursday, worth more than USD$4 billion overall, including 16 for its new carbon and titanium 787 Dreamliner.

 

The order pushes the US plane maker's tally to 632 firm orders so far this year, well ahead of European rival Airbus, which has confirmed only 222 firm orders this year, but picked up a prestigious 35 plane order from German carrier Lufthansa on Wednesday.

 

On its online order book, Boeing on Thursday noted new orders for 16 of the mid-sized, twin-aisled 787s, which are due to enter service in 2008.

 

It added 30 new orders for its best-selling single-aisle 737, the work horse for many airlines worldwide, and one new order for a Boeing Business Jet, which is an adapted 737. It did not identify any of the buyers.

 

The increase means Boeing remains on track to beat Airbus in terms of annual orders for the first time since 2000. Few think this year's total of Boeing and Airbus orders will top last year's record of 2,057, but a number of important airlines are expected to place large orders before the year's end, including Dubai-based Emirates and Russia's Aeroflot.

 

Boeing has delivered 258 planes this year, trailing Airbus, which has flown 283 planes to customers so far this year, according to its latest update.

 

(Reuters)

 

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Bah...but first plane still gonna be delivered end of the year or what?

 

Apparently if it fails to be actually delivered, there'll be a 'ceremonial delivery.' That is, delivered in full SQ livery, only to be returned straightaway to continue the technical works.

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Ladies and gentlemen,

 

Aireboos Indoostreee is proud to present you with a MASSIVE & NEW aircraft!!

 

Also in the package, NEW problems, MASSIVE delays! :good: ;)

 

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

 

:rofl: good one there tony~ hahah so anyone interested? :p

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Not all bad for Airbus: they succeeded in getting a large Lufthansa order ;)

....

(Reuters)

 

Perhaps something bad will happen..who knows :o

Maseu Wants Airbus A380 Purchase Cancelled

September 22, 2006 21:17 PM

 

 

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 22 (Bernama) -- The Malaysia Airlines System Employees Union (Maseu) has urged Penerbangan Malaysia Bhd (PMB), the holding company of Malaysia Airlines (MAS) to cancel its purchase of Airbus A380 aircraft whose delivery have again been delayed.

 

Maseu executive secretary Mustafar Maarof said in a statement, PMB should cancel the purchase of six A380 aircraft as it would help MAS save costs.

 

Thursday, EADS, the manufacturer of the planes announced for the third time a delay in their delivery.

 

The company did not mention a specific timeframe to deliver the jets to MAS.

 

Mustafar said that the cancellation could help MAS focus on increasing cash flow and use the savings on better maintenance work and optimize utilization of its existing fleet.

 

"If PMB still feels strongly about the purchase and leasing them to MAS, then Maseu proposes that they be offered to the many low-cost carriers plying the region.," he added.

 

-- BERNAMA

 

 

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Maybe one more free A3UGLY for SQ this time or some freebies in the form of A350XB. This is getting bad.....very bad. Lost revenue in unforeseen shrink in capacity. Looks like no new toys for me in coming year's bonus.

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SQ has to fight another 'battle" regarding the A380, and this in 'in-house' :o :

 

September 25, 2006

Singapore Airlines said on Monday it was seeking court arbitration to settle a dispute with its pilots over pay and benefits for flying its new A380 superjumbo planes.

 

Singapore Airlines has ordered 19 of Airbus's double-decker A380 aircraft and will be the first airline to fly the new plane.

 

"The company is seeking to have some differences with Air Line Pilots Association-Singapore (Alpa-S) over proposed pay scales for A380 pilots adjudicated. We hope that the outstanding issues can be resolved quickly," Singapore Airlines said in a statement.

 

Singapore daily The Straits Times said on Monday that Alpa-S, which it said represents 1,600 pilots, is upset because the airline is proposing to pay the pilots less than a Boeing 747 captain makes, although the airline's A380s, with just under 480 seats, will carry about 100 more passengers than its 747s.

 

The paper added that a Singapore Airlines' 747 captain starts at about SGD$10,000 (USD$6,300) per month excluding allowances and that according to pilots interviewed, the rule of thumb is "the bigger the plane, the higher the pay".

 

Singapore Airlines has referred its dispute with its pilots' union to the Industrial Arbitration Court, a spokesman said.

 

Declining to give further details, Singapore Airlines said its talks with the union had been constructive but that there remained areas where they did not have common ground.

 

Singapore's former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew, who holds the title of "Minister Mentor" in his son Lee Hsien Loong's cabinet, stepped in to end a spat between the state-controlled firm and its pilots' union in 2003, after the flag carrier cut wages, slashed capacity by a third, and furloughed nearly 600 staff.

 

Both sides reached a deal last year on salary and benefits, ending the city-state's worst labor dispute in two decades.

 

Lee said Singapore was determined to prevent a repeat of a 1980 dispute with pilots that disrupted flights on key routes, especially as regional competition grows in the airline industry.

 

(Reuters)

 

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Edwin P K,

Although the constant bantering from the unions can sometimes be a nuisance for management and corporate decision making, I really feel that the union is right in this case.

 

The A380 is a fantastic aircraft with great potential, but let's face it. MAS does not have the immediate need for it yet. Yes, the aircraft will only be arriving in 2008/2009 now, but I feel MAS should use this situation to their advantage. Use this as a bargainning tool to buy a fresh fleet of A320/A321 aircraft and some A330X/A350XWB at a good price.. although, the reputation of airbus is at the moment quite precarious.

 

Now is time MAS should focus on developing their regional fleet. Maybe, MAS might transfer the order across to the regional aircraft and it could be a win-win for both MAS and Airbus. Airbus benefits because of a rise in the total order book for this year.. they are presently truly lagging behind Boeing. Imagine what a help MAS would be if it ordered 50-60 aircraft. And to show the interest and support for the A380, MAS could sign an agreement or MoU for the intent to purchase 6 aircraft in 2010 and 2011. If they feel they need the A380 in 2008/2009, perhaps they should lease them from ILFC...

 

The big problem is MAS has invested too much money in accepting the A380.. not only MAS, so too has the government via MAHB in upgrading the KLIA for the A380.. again, decisions made haphazardly with a lack of greater thinking.. It's all very messy.. and I hope MAS can use this further delay in their advantage to expand their fleet.

 

I personally, would like to see an order for the B737NG/B787/B748 in the future.. I think those aircraft would be an excellent combination for expanding the regional and long-haul business of MAS. Further additions to the 777 fleet would also be great.

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Finally the A380 is coming to the US :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :

 

A380 first touchdown in the United States as part of commercial Route Proving

12 March 2007

 

Two A380s will fly into two US destinations on 19th March, allowing both the East and West Coasts of North America to simultaneously welcome the world's largest commercial airliner, which is also the most technically advanced and environmentally friendly civil aircraft in the skies.

 

A380 development aircraft MSN7 will fly some 500 passengers to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), New York, as part of the Commercial Route Proving jointly performed with Deutsche Lufthansa over a 12 day period. Simultaneously, A380 test aircraft MSN1 will land at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) as part of an airport compatibility trial, which will be performed on the spot with the assistance of Qantas Airways.

 

As part of the Commercial Route Proving operated out of the Lufthansa base in Frankfurt, MSN7, which is fitted with a full cabin interior, will then fly from New York to Chicago O'Hare and back to JFK on 20th March, before returning to Frankfurt on 21st March. The aircraft will then go to Hong Kong (24th March), and return to the US for a visit to Washington on 25th March, and return. On its way back from Frankfurt to Toulouse, it will make a stopover in Munich on 28th March. The objective of the Commercial Route Proving exercise, always jointly performed with an airline - in this instance Lufthansa - is to fine-tune the aircraft's interior systems under realistic operational conditions on a number of scheduled flights, in preparation of its entry into service later this year.

 

During the Route Proving exercise, the A380 will be flown by Airbus test pilots, and experienced and trained Lufthansa pilots. With around 500 guests on board on each of the long distance flights, in-flight service will be provided by a full Lufthansa cabin crew.

 

A380 MSN1 is flying to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) for airport compatibility tests. The tests in LAX will be done in cooperation with LAX airport authorities as well as Qantas Airways. These tests include airfield manoeuvring, docking at the terminal gate and ground handling services and equipment, including fueling. LAX is the first US destination to which the A380 is scheduled to be flown when in service with Qantas, and is the world’s fifth busiest passenger airport. Since the first airport tests with the A380 in Frankfurt in 2005, the A380 has visited over 40 airports, and by 2011 more than 70 airports around the world will be ready for A380 operations.

 

"After having brought the A380 to many airports in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Australia and also Africa, we are proud that, on the occasion of the Commercial Route Proving, we are now able to present the A380 to the American people", said Executive Vice President and Head of the A380 Programme, Mario Heinen. "Both JFK and LAX, as well as Chicago O'Hare International and Washington Dulles International Airport are key future destinations for the A380. Following this, they can confirm their readiness to receive the aircraft when customers will begin flying it there very soon."

 

"Also, the quietness and limited environmental impact of the aircraft will surely positively surprise the local communities as it did elsewhere, while its economic benefits, including the reduced fuel burn of less than three litres per passenger per 100 kilometres, have already convinced our customers. My thanks also go to Lufthansa for their cooperation in the Route Proving and previous joint exercises, and to Qantas for the LAX compatibility trial, as well as to the respective airports", he added.

 

First delivery to first operator Singapore Airlines is scheduled for October 2007. The Aircraft received joint European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Type Certification in December 2006. Firm orders and commitments stand at 166 aircraft for 15 customers.

 

Summary:

 

F-WWOW (MSN 001): Heads to LAX for compatility tests for Qantas Airlines

F-WWSD (with full cabin interior) (MSN 007): Heads to JFK, ORD (Chicago O'Hare Int'l), and IAD for Commercial Route Proving for Lufthansa

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Im sorry - just wondering - I tot SQ would be the 1st to fly A380? Hurmmmmm

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Im sorry - just wondering - I tot SQ would be the 1st to fly A380? Hurmmmmm

 

SIA is the launch customer for the A380 :)

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Im sorry - just wondering - I tot SQ would be the 1st to fly A380? Hurmmmmm

 

I guess as a former crew you'd know that any new aircraft needs lots of testing before being put into service. These flights are test flights; SQ will be the first airline to fly the aircraft commercially.

 

Did you see the A380 in KUL in 2005?

 

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