Airbus Forced To Cut A380 Output
Robert Wall/Paris wall@aviationweek.com
Numerous airline deferrals have forced Airbus to trim A380 production to 14 airlifters this year, down from 18, and also scale back plans for 2010 and beyond when more customers have said they want to avoid taking the big-ticket aircraft to preserve cash.
The aircraft maker concedes the production adjustment will hurt its cashflow and says it is taking steps to mitigate those effects. However, no material earnings hit is expected.
A380 deliveries this year are planned for Singapore Airlines, Emirates and Qantas, expanding their existing fleets, with Air France the sole new operator to receive the aircraft.
It is at least the third revision of A380 production plans. Airbus at one time planned to build 26 of the aircraft this year, but trimmed that to 21 and then 18 last year, owing to continued problems in streamlining its assembly.
But this time it is customers who are driving the change. The Airbus moves comes only about a month after officials for the manufacturer insisted 2009 production would remain at 18 aircraft.
The 2010 output level hasn't been set, beyond Airbus saying it would be "more than 20 aircraft." What comes after is "dependent on airline demand and availability of customer financing," the aircraft maker says.
Airbus was on track to boost output to two aircraft per month by yearend, with the goal of reaching four aircraft per month around 2011, a target that will now again be delayed.
Airbus insists it still expects total 2009 output to be near last year's 483 aircraft. Airbus and other industry officials signal that the big question surrounding output levels for both Airbus and Boeing is 2010. The aircraft maker has already curtailed single-aisle production, reversing plans to go to 40 aircraft per month and instead opting to reduce output from 36 units to 34 units per month. Widebody output has been frozen at 8.5 aircraft per month.
Photo credit: Airbus
