European aircraft manufacturer Airbus has confirmed that airlines could wait longer than expected for its A380 superjumbo jet.
The firm said it was struggling to increase production, and needed more time and resources to do so. As a result it would deliver 12 aircraft in 2008 despite originally planning to make 13. In 2009, the company said it would make 21 A380s, compared to previous plans to deliver 25.
In March, the first A380 in service was flown into London’s Heathrow by Singapore Airlines.
The manufacturing delays to the world’s largest passenger aircraft could have greatest impact on Emirates, which has ordered more than any other airline.
Both British Airways and Virgin Atlantic have orders for the A380, but they will not be delivered until 2012 and 2013.