DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AFX) - Emirates airlines said Thursday that its order of 45 Airbus A380 jumbo jets was 'up in the air,' after reports that deliveries of the plane may be delayed.
Spokeswoman Valerie Tan said officials at the Dubai-based airline were discussing whether to go forward with the order.
'Things are up in the air right now. It's hard for us to say. We had such a big order,' Tan said by telephone Thursday.
European Aeronautic Defence & Space Co. said Thursday that it expects further delays in the troubled Airbus A380 superjumbo program.
The company did not provide details of the cost or timeframe of the delays, except to say that it expects to complete a review of the program in four weeks.
Airbus has previously announced delays to the high-profile program, but has come under strong pressure in recent days after reports suggested further holdups were about to be revealed.
rench newspapers reported Wednesday that some inaugural customers may face at least another six-month delay. Wiring problems were a main cause in slowing down the program.
Analysts have warned that more hitches could further shake current and future customers' confidence in the project. Airbus so far has booked 159 orders for the A380 but needs some 300 to break even on the project.
In June, Airbus shocked airlines by revealing its second six-month delay due to production problems. At that time, it said it expected to deliver to launch customer Singapore Airlines Ltd. by the end of 2006.
Shares in Airbus parent company EADS fell 2.4 percent to 22.33 euros in Paris trading.
Copyright 2006 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
© 2006 AFX News
