A FedEx Express decision to cancel its order for the Airbus A380 has shaken the troubled airframer. FedEx had been a launch customer for the aircraft with an order for 10 A380 freighters. Instead, the US parcel carrier has ordered 15 Boeing 777s in the all-cargo configuration, with an option to buy 15 more. FedEx plans to take delivery of four 777Fs in 2009, eight in 2010, and the remainder in 2011.
"We made the decision to purchase the new Boeing freighters after Airbus notified us that there were going to be significant delays," FedEx says. "Global demand for air cargo and express continues to grow, and we needed the aircraft to fill our customers' needs."
David Hoppin, the MergeGlobal consultant, says the cancellation reflects changing trends in US/Asia cargo patterns and that FedEx really did not need the A380 as it had thought. "It's average parcel weight and volume are changing and the 777 capacity is better suited to these developing patterns," he says.
Airbus is now down to just 15 orders for the freighter model A380. Leasing giant ILFC has ordered five and UPS, FedEx's arch rival, has 10 on order for delivery between 2009 and 2012. UPS says it currently has made no decision to change its Airbus order.
The 777 freighter, introduced in 2004, has so far won 44 orders from six customers. This includes its first order from a Chinese carrier as China Southern Airlines in October made a firm commitment for six aircraft, due to be delivered between 2008 and 2010.
The A380 orderbook has received a boost from Qantas Airways, which has ordered eight more Airbus A380s for delivery through 2015. Qantas had already ordered 12 and has now firmed up eight of its 12 options. It says that despite production problems, it is confident they "in no way relate to the technical capacity of the A380".
Virgin Atlantic, meanwhile, has deferred delivery of its six A380s from 2009 to 2013. Virgin says it wants to wait another four years before introducing the type, giving Airbus the chance to resolve any entry into service problems.
Source: Airline Business
