Flight International online news 10:30GMT: Singapore Airlines (SIA) is looking to put its first Airbus A380 into commercial service around Christmas next year, following an expected late-November delivery.
CEO Chew Choon Seng said at the airline’s financial results briefing: “Based on the latest indications from Airbus, [the first A380] will not be delivered to us earlier than late November next year. If that is indeed the result, then we will not be putting the aircraft into commercial service before Christmas of next year.”
Star Alliance member SIA will be the first operator of the A380, the first of which was originally due for delivery to it around April 2006.
Earlier this year the airline began heavily advertising the fact that it would be the first to operate the aircraft in 2006, although there have been concerns in recent months that entry into service could slip to early 2007 because of delays in the programme that are affecting all early customers.
Chew says plans for retirements of older Boeing 747-400s have had to be reworked as a result of the delays and he indicates that negotiations are continuing with Airbus on a compensation deal.
SIA’s contract with Airbus will see it taking delivery of the first four production A380s, after which deliveries will take place to Qantas Airways and Emirates around April 2007. SIA has 10 of the type on firm order, the first of which will be used for services to Australia and the UK.
NICHOLAS IONIDES/SINGAPORE
Source: Flight International
