Emirates to keep A380 orders amid delivery delay

Dubai-based carrier Emirates will keep its order of 58 A380 aircraft despite further delivery delays by French aeroplane manufacturer Airbus, a top airline official said on Wednesday.

Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline Group, said their order for the superjumbo aircraft will remain at 58 amid recent reports that Airbus will not be able to meet their delivery schedule.

“We’re sticking with the number (58). The delay in delivery will only be for a short period of time,” says Sheikh Ahmed, without giving an exact timeframe on when the aircraft will be delivered.

Out of the 58 aircraft on order, only five have been delivered so far. These five superjumbo aeroplanes are currently being used by Emirates to service long-haul destinations such as London (Heathrow), United Kingdom; Auckland, New Zealand; Sydney, Australia; Bangkok, Thailand; and Toronto, Canada.

When asked about possible compensation sought for the delay, Sheikh Ahmed, who is also the President of the Dubai Department of Civil Aviation and Chairman of Dubai Airports, said it is a confidential matter that will be discussed only between Emirates and Airbus.

Local reports mentioned on Wednesday that Emirates is anticipating another five-month delay in the delivery of the rest of the A380s, causing disruption to the airline’s growth forecast for 2010.

The delay will result in Emirates having only 15 A380s by the end of 2010 instead of the expected 20 superjumbos.

Sheikh Ahmed also mentioned that Emirates is considering taking the order of other airlines that have cancelled their order for the A380.