Aircraft

Airbus has narrowly met its revised delivery target of 12 A380 aircraft for 2008 following its handover today of a fourth example to Middle Eastern carrier Emirates.

Along with four A380s to Emirates the airframer has delivered five to Singapore Airlines and three to Qantas Airways this year.

Airbus had originally hoped to deliver 13 of the type but in May revised the target to a dozen after hitches in its efforts to increase production.

Chief executive Tom Enders says: "We have met our 2008 delivery schedule. This gives us a good basis to further ramp up our production in 2009."

Delivery of the Emirates jet today brings the global A380 fleet to 13. Airbus says this fleet has accumulated 21,000hr in over 2,200 revenue flights, transporting more than 890,000 passengers.

Airbus' production schedule calls for 21 A380s to be delivered next year. These will include the first aircraft to Air France, which will become the fourth operator of the type.