Airbus to rework aircraft delivery schedules

The impact of the economic crisis on the aviation sector has forced European aircraft manufacturer Airbus to rework the aircraft delivery schedules, including that of the jumbo A-380s.

Under the "new plan", Airbus has planned to deliver 14 double-decker A-380s this year and over 20 more in 2010. It has also reduced the production of A-320 family of aircraft from 36 to 34, the company said in a statement here without elaborating on its earlier delivery plans to various airlines across the globe.

The changes in the delivery schedule were carried out "due to the current economic and aviation crisis and following specific customer requests for deferrals", the Airbus said, adding that the onward production rates and deliveries were "dependent on airline demand and availability of customer financing".

"Airbus will take mitigating actions against the negative effects of the new A380-plan on free cash-flow of the company," the statement said, adding that development of the latest generation aircraft, A-350XWB, "continues with full speed".