Emirates president Tim Clark has warned that the fast-growing carrier is “reviewing all options” over the future of its order for 43 Airbus A380s after the crisis-hit manufacturer informed it of yet another lengthy delay to deliveries.
The Middle East carrier has confirmed it will now not receive its first A380 until August 2008, representing another 10-month slip.
Clark says: “This is a very serious situation for Emirates and the company is now reviewing all its options.”
In the wake of production problems revealed by Airbus in June this year, the Dubai-based carrier was informed that it would begin receiving A380s in October next year.
Emirates had been hoping, after these delays were disclosed, to put the aircraft into service in January 2008.
This further postponement is potentially extremely damaging for Airbus, as Emirates is by far the largest customer for the A380.
Airbus has yet to publicly disclose the overall extent of delays to the A380 programme.
