Airbus to trim A380 deliveries

Global - Airbus announced a reduction to the deliveries of their double-decker A380 jet due to deferral requests from customers as a result of the downturn.

According to the New York Times, the airplane maker cited the current economic and aviation crisis, coupled with specific customer requests for deferrals, as reasons for the cutback.

Airbus said it expects to deliver 14 of the 525-seat aircraft in 2009 and more than 20 in 2010. The company previously intended to deliver 18 A380s this year, on a schedule that had already been cut back from 21 planned deliveries in 2009 and 45 in 2010.

"Onward production rates and deliveries are dependent on airline demand and availability of customer financing," Airbus said.

The changes are not expected to affect Airbus' operating profits for this year.

Although the company did not single out which of its customers would be deferring their A380s deliveries in 2009, China Southern, Air France-KLM, Kingfisher of India and Qantas have all announced plans to defer deliveries. 

Industry experts believe Airbus gave a substantial discount to its first customers for the US$237 million per plane A380, in addition to compensation they are owed for a two-year manufacturing delay.