Airbus announces more A380 delays

Airbus, which employs 12,000 at sites near Toulouse, has warned airlines they face further delays in receiving the A380.

More time and resources are needed to increase production, the company said, which will result in fewer deliveries than planned during 2008 and 2009.

Deliveries of the A380 are already running almost two years late because of delays centred on wiring problems.

No details were given about the financial implications of the announcement.

An Airbus spokesman said: "The extent of the additional costs will be influenced by the actual production and delivery scenario."

Airbus - which is part of European aerospace group EADS - now plans to deliver 12 A380s this year, instead of the 13 expected.

In 2009, 21 A380s will be supplied to carriers against the previous plan to deliver 25.

The first A380 entered commercial service last year with Singapore Airlines.

EADS said that four A380s have been delivered as planned, while a further 17 were in various stages of production.

Both Dubai-based Emirates and Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways said earlier this month they had received warning of delays.

British Airways has ordered 12 of the giant aircraft, due to be delivered from 2012.