Airbus is playing down the significance of A380 launch customer Virgin Atlantic's decision to defer its six orders by 18 months, saying the reasons are unique to the UK airline.
Virgin was due to be the second carrier after Singapore Airlines to receive the 550-seat A380 - and the first in Europe - in July 2006. Deliveries of the Rolls-Royce Trent 900-powered aircraft will not now start until late 2007 after agreement was reached with Airbus to delay the order. Virgin had two A380 delivery positions in 2006, two in 2007 and two in 2008, and according to industry sources has been seeking to sell or lease the aircraft before agreeing the deferral.
Virgin says that it remains "absolutely committed" to the concept of the A380, but will only operate the aircraft when it can "offer the standards on board and on the ground that meet our customers' expectations". The airline adds that "the long lead times required by Airbus for the launch customers to finalise cabin specifications with suppliers meant that we would not be able to develop the innovations we plan for the aircraft in time for 2006 deliveries".
The airline says that it also has concerns "that one or two airports might initially not be able to at least match the standards of handling for the A380 offered for the A340 or Boeing 747".
Airbus says it understands that Virgin "was not ready on its interior configuration. Other airlines are more advanced in knowing what they want to do, because they are not being so innovative."
Los Angeles International is the airport causing the most concern. Last year Airbus and Virgin voiced anxieties about its preparations for the A380 (Flight International, 2-8 December 2003). The manufacturer is playing down those concerns. "We and all the other A380 airlines expect it to be ready," it says.
Virgin's reluctance to become an A380 launch operator is believed to stem from its experience when introducing the Airbus A340-600 in 2002, when it bore the brunt of teething problems with the aircraft and its cabin systems. Industry sources say the airline does not have the appetite to undertake a similar role on the ultra-large A380.
The deferral of the three-year-old contract may also be linked to more recent fleet developments. The airline is finalising an order for at least 20 A340-600s or Boeing 777-300ERs as it aims to grow frequencies and destinations.
MAX KINGSLEY-JONES / LONDON
Source: Flight International
