Charges relating to the Airbus A380 wing-rib repairs reached €251 million ($328 million) during 2012, while EADS also recorded charges of €124 million for the A350 programme.

The A380 charges were "anticipated", says EADS, which had estimated the figure would reach €260 million.

EADS is forecasting a further €85 million in charges for the wing fix during 2013. Fewer A380 deliveries this year, put at 25, will result in only "moderate" growth in Airbus revenues, says the company.

Airbus is finalising with the European Aviation Safety Agency the certification effort for the modifications aimed at providing a permanent fix to the problem.

"The solution is clear. We have embodied design modifications into a new production standard," says EADS chief executive Tom Enders. Initial deliveries for these new-build aircraft are scheduled for 2014.

Airbus recently indicated it would deliver 25 A380s in 2013. EADS says the "avenue for break-even in 2015" is "set at 30 deliveries".

EADS says the A350 charge is "unchanged" since the first half of 2012.

"Good progress is being made on the A350 XWB programme but it remains challenging and there is no room left in the schedule," it says.

EADS released the figures during its annual conference in Berlin. Enders says the A350 is "on track" for first flight "this summer".

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news