Aircraft

Airbus is further cutting production rates for its A380 from 18 to 14 this year, in response to customer requests for deferrals during the current economic crisis.

The airframer in January had already revised downwards its A380 production plan for 2009 from 21 deliveries to 18.

Airbus is also committing only to delivering "more than 20" of the double-deck aircraft in 2010.

"Onward production rates and deliveries are dependent on airline demand and availability of customer financing," says the manufacturer.

Airbus says it will take "mitigating actions" against the "negative effects" of the revised A380 production plan on cash flow.

But it says there will be "no significant impact" on earnings as a result.

Airbus has already disclosed its intention to reduce production rates of the A320 family from 36 to 34 per month from October, while production of the A330/340 family is currently at 8.5 per month.

Development of the A350 XWB, it adds, is continuing "with full speed".