Aircraft

Delivery of the next Airbus A380 to Australia's Qantas has been delayed by over a month due to continuing production problems at the manufacturer, claims the airline.

The aircraft, which will be the airline's fourth of the type, was due for delivery at the end of May, says Qantas.

"Airbus has advised us that, due to production issues, it will not be delivered until mid-July. It is now scheduled to enter service at the end of July," it adds.

Qantas recently deferred its seventh to 10th A380 deliveries by up 10-12 months due to the economic downturn, but is still taking three aircraft this year.

"After number four in July, we will take another two by the end of the year," it says.

Delay to delivery of the fourth A380 will mean "a short delay in offering additional A380 services and we have adjusted our schedules accordingly", adds the airline.