The Riddler
1st Jun 2005, 04:18
Qantas superjet shock
By Steve Creedy
The Australian
June 01, 2005
DELIVERY of Qantas's new flagship double-decker super-jumbo will be delayed by at least six months because of problems at European manufacturer Airbus, damaging the carrier's aim to be the best on the Pacific route.
The shock news comes less than two months after the Europeans trumpeted the successful maiden flight of the plane and two weeks before they go to battle with rival Boeing at the Paris airshow.
Airbus representatives delivered the bad news to Qantas chief executive Geoff Dixon during the International Air Transport Associations annual general meeting in Tokyo this week.
The Australian understands delays apply to all aircraft in the A380 program and will also hit deliveries to Singapore Airlines and Emirates, leaving the manufacturer open to substantial penalties.
"We've expressed our disappointment to them," Mr Dixon said last night. "We now want to sit down and make sure the new timetable is met and our people work closely with them to meet this deadline."
Qantas had been due to get the first of 12 A380s in October next year but it will not now arrive until April 2007.
The blow is a double one to Qantas because it had met all of Airbus's requirements for on-time delivery.
Mr Dixon said Airbus gave a variety of reasons for the delay, including difficulties in customising the A380 for individual airlines.
Qantas has a tight contract specifying delivery times of aircraft, and Mr Dixon confirmed last night there were penalties for delays and Qantas would seek compensation.
He said the airline's network planning staff were now looking at strategies for bridging the gap left by the delay.
He did not believe this would mean having to lease aircraft as a stop-gap measure. "It will involve us moving things around and maybe delaying retirement of aircraft," Mr Dixon said. "It's a bit too early for us to have a full handle on that."
Mr Dixon said Qantas had expressed concern about any distortion in delivery dates compared with other airlines.
"They said no, they would ensure that the deliveries, though six months late, would be in the same sequence and the same time differential with our competitors.
"We will work with them in the next couple of weeks to ensure this is the case."
Airbus spokesman Ted Porter said he could not confirm the delay. But journalists attending a briefing in Toulouse earlier this month were told they should expect a shift in delivery schedules after an Airbus analysis of its factory and suppliers.
Although airlines have been keeping the interior and special features of their A380s tightly under wraps, they are rumoured to include office areas, bars and even showers.
Qantas plans to seat 501 passengers in its A380s and wants to deploy its first four to boost capacity from Melbourne and Sydney to the US.
The 12 A380s will allow Qantas to fly at least 17 weekly services between Australia and Los Angeles and 14 weekly services between Australia and London via Bangkok, Hong Kong and Singapore.
An interior being designed by Paris-based Australian designer Marc Newson is slated to include special lounge areas in first, business and economy classes as well as facilities for business meetings and business presentations.
Business class will feature an enhanced version of the Skybed, while economy class promises more space for passengers as well as better entertainment and seating.
By Steve Creedy
The Australian
June 01, 2005
DELIVERY of Qantas's new flagship double-decker super-jumbo will be delayed by at least six months because of problems at European manufacturer Airbus, damaging the carrier's aim to be the best on the Pacific route.
The shock news comes less than two months after the Europeans trumpeted the successful maiden flight of the plane and two weeks before they go to battle with rival Boeing at the Paris airshow.
Airbus representatives delivered the bad news to Qantas chief executive Geoff Dixon during the International Air Transport Associations annual general meeting in Tokyo this week.
The Australian understands delays apply to all aircraft in the A380 program and will also hit deliveries to Singapore Airlines and Emirates, leaving the manufacturer open to substantial penalties.
"We've expressed our disappointment to them," Mr Dixon said last night. "We now want to sit down and make sure the new timetable is met and our people work closely with them to meet this deadline."
Qantas had been due to get the first of 12 A380s in October next year but it will not now arrive until April 2007.
The blow is a double one to Qantas because it had met all of Airbus's requirements for on-time delivery.
Mr Dixon said Airbus gave a variety of reasons for the delay, including difficulties in customising the A380 for individual airlines.
Qantas has a tight contract specifying delivery times of aircraft, and Mr Dixon confirmed last night there were penalties for delays and Qantas would seek compensation.
He said the airline's network planning staff were now looking at strategies for bridging the gap left by the delay.
He did not believe this would mean having to lease aircraft as a stop-gap measure. "It will involve us moving things around and maybe delaying retirement of aircraft," Mr Dixon said. "It's a bit too early for us to have a full handle on that."
Mr Dixon said Qantas had expressed concern about any distortion in delivery dates compared with other airlines.
"They said no, they would ensure that the deliveries, though six months late, would be in the same sequence and the same time differential with our competitors.
"We will work with them in the next couple of weeks to ensure this is the case."
Airbus spokesman Ted Porter said he could not confirm the delay. But journalists attending a briefing in Toulouse earlier this month were told they should expect a shift in delivery schedules after an Airbus analysis of its factory and suppliers.
Although airlines have been keeping the interior and special features of their A380s tightly under wraps, they are rumoured to include office areas, bars and even showers.
Qantas plans to seat 501 passengers in its A380s and wants to deploy its first four to boost capacity from Melbourne and Sydney to the US.
The 12 A380s will allow Qantas to fly at least 17 weekly services between Australia and Los Angeles and 14 weekly services between Australia and London via Bangkok, Hong Kong and Singapore.
An interior being designed by Paris-based Australian designer Marc Newson is slated to include special lounge areas in first, business and economy classes as well as facilities for business meetings and business presentations.
Business class will feature an enhanced version of the Skybed, while economy class promises more space for passengers as well as better entertainment and seating.