Singapore seeks superjumbo compensation

Singapore Airlines said yesterday it was disappointed with new delays for the delivery of the A380 superjumbo and was talking to Airbus parent EADS about compensation for the setback.

"We are disappointed with the news of further delays, but will work with Airbus to minimise the delays and their impact," said a spokesman for Singapore Air, which plans to be the first airline to fly the world's biggest passenger aircraft.

He said Singapore Air still expected to receive its first A380 by the end of the year and that it was "exploring issues" regarding compensation for the delay with Airbus.

The airline, the world's number-two in terms of stock market value after Southwest Airlines of the United States, is expected to use the huge aircraft on its key London-Sydney route in the first half of next year.

EADS acknowledged it would have to pay penalties to carriers that have signed up for the world's biggest airliner.

The European plane maker upset airlines earlier in the A380 production cycle by announcing a six-month delay after insisting for months that the programme was running to schedule.

Carriers were angered because the sudden news of a delay disrupted their plans for deploying the plane on routes and in some cases could force airlines to lease other aircraft until the A380 is ready.

Carriers in the Arab Gulf and Asia have been the biggest buyers of the plane, including Dubai-based Emirates, which has 43 of them on order.

- REUTERS