Indian firm: Airbus delayed A330 deliveries due to tanker contest
Published 10:53 am Tuesday, August 17, 2010
India’s Flyington Freighters may sue Airbus over late deliveries of its A330 freighters — delays the cargo airline says is due to the U.S. Air Force tanker contest.
Airbus was supposed to begin deliveries in 2008 but may not do so until 2011, a Flyington executive tells Defense News.
“I believe Airbus intended to deliver the 12 A330-200 aircraft to Flyington only if successful in winning the U.S. Air Force contract and able to build these aircraft in Mobile, Ala.,” the Flyington executive told the publication. “My impression is that Airbus has only limited capacity in Toulouse and may be unable to build our 12 A330-200 aircraft [there].”
Airbus officials apparently dispute Flyington’s claim, saying the jetmaker and cargo carrier agreed on the delay.
Airbus’ parent company, EADS, is competing against The Boeing Co. for a $35 billion deal supplying the U.S. Air Force with aerial refueling tankers. EADS is offering a tanker based on Airbus’ A330. Boeing has offered a tanker based on its Everett-built 767 jet.
The Air Force is expected to announce a winner for the contest later this year.
