Houston Community News >> Airbus Delivers First A380 Superjumbo Jet to Singapore Airlines
10/15/2007 TOULOUSE, France
(AP) - Airbus finally delivered its first A380 superjumbo, a revolutionary
behemoth that includes luxury suites equipped with comfy double beds.
Singapore Airlines took delivery of the double-decker jet, the world's largest
passenger plane, almost two years late.
Singapore Airlines CEO Chew Choon Seng said it was "well worth the wait." "Until
now, the A380 has been Airbus' baby. Today we are here to celebrate this
beautiful mature aircraft coming of age," said Airbus President Thomas Enders at
a handover ceremony that included a sound and light show.
Acknowledging the planemaker's difficulties, he told Airbus employees: "I
realize how unsettling these last times, particularly the last 18 months, have
been."
Airbus has gone though five CEOs as multiple delays in the A380 program resulted
in massive write-offs and a restructuring plan that foresees 10,000 job cuts
over four years - not to mention billions of dollars in lost profit.
Such delays have hurt more than just profits: Airbus' reputation has suffered,
and U.S. rival Boeing Co. grabbed the top sales spot in 2006. Boeing last week
announced a six-month delay to its hot-selling 787 Dreamliner.
The celebration Monday, attended by about 500 guests, was low key compared with
the triumphal 2005 ceremony when the A380 was unveiled. The 10,000-strong
audience then included leaders from France, Germany and Britain who were not
allowed inside the plane where problems lurked.
(Contributed by AP)