The delivery of Singapore Airlines' (SIA) 11th Airbus A380 aircraft has been delayed, after a Japanese seat supplier failed to deliver new seats on time.
Delays in the delivery of seats from Koito, based in Yokohama, have also affected Japanese carrier All Nippon Airways' plans to introduce new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.
Koito is supplying the business class seats on SIA's A380s and the first class seats on the carrier's Boeing 777-300s, which are being retrofitted, says an airline spokesman.
"We are aware of issues relating to seats supplied by Koito to several international airlines including SIA. We understand that these issues centre around the validation of paperwork and certification of test data," he adds.
The airline's 11th A380 was due to be delivered in January. SIA is hopeful that the aircraft will be delivered within the next two months, says the spokesman.
"SIA is working closely with the seat vendor, the relevant regulatory authorities as well as aircraft manufacturers Airbus and Boeing," he adds, saying that the problems have not affected services.
Seat issues have also delayed the launch of new 777-300ER aircraft on ANA's Tokyo Narita-New York route.
Koito is supplying the premium economy seats on the aircraft, says the airline, which is rolling out refurbished seats on services to North American and Europe.
The 777-300ER will start operating on the New York service from 19 April, instead of 20 February, says ANA.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
