Airbus delivers first A380 today, more than a year late

EVERETT — As the Boeing Co. delays the first jet of this century, rival Airbus makes the initial delivery of the final jet designed in the last century.

Today, Airbus will hand over the first A380 jet to Singapore Airlines. The superjumbo jet likely will be the last commercial aircraft designed using mostly aluminum. When the A380 enters service later this month, it will bump Boeing’s 747 from the title of the largest passenger plane.

The engineering minds at Airbus began conceiving a large aircraft in the 1990s. The European jet maker officially launched its A380 in 2000 with the hopes of seeing the first superjumbo jet enter service in spring 2006.

As both Boeing and Airbus are finding out, even the best-laid plans can go wrong.

For Airbus, its A380 plans derailed extensively because of complications with the A380’s wiring and lack of communication among workers at different Airbus factories. The company will deliver only one superjumbo this year, down from its initial projection of 25. Next year, Airbus hopes to deliver 13 A380s, down from the forecasted 35. Its production woes stretch out even into 2009, when it will turn over 25 rather than 45.

The significant delays will cost Airbus’ parent company, European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co. roughly $6 billion in profits over a four-year span.

Certainly, Boeing officials had the A380 nightmare in mind as they announced last week a six-month setback for their 787 program. Missing parts and complications in Boeing’s global supply chain led to its delay.

“It’s obvious we are disappointed to have to announced this delay,” said Jim McNerney, Boeing’s chief executive.

Boeing plans to handle its setback a bit differently than Airbus. The Chicago-based company will continue building planes, stockpiling as many as 40 by the time it delivers the first 787 to Japan’s All Nippon Airways in November or December 2008. In doing so, Boeing will fall only three 787 deliveries short in 2009 with the intention to be back on schedule completely in 2010, two years after the first delivery.

Some analysts say that’s risky since the jet maker could discover problems during flight testing and have to rework all of its planes in progress. But analyst Paul Nisbet, with JSA Research, thinks otherwise.

“They don’t want to get permanently behind,” Nisbet said.

Regardless, Boeing’s 787 still will pay off before Airbus’ A380. With more than 700 orders on hand, Boeing’s James Bell, chief operating officer, doesn’t foresee the delay having a huge financial impact.

“The business case for the 787 remains extremely solid,” Bell said.

With 165 firm orders, Airbus remains well shy of its break-even point. However, the European jet maker estimates a demand for 1,260 large jets such as its A380 and Boeing’s 747 over the next 20 years. Just last week, Airbus picked up a tentative order from new A380 customer, Grupo Marsans, a Spanish tourism group.

Reporter Michelle Dunlop: 425-339-3454 or mdunlop@heraldnet.com.

@2. Breakout Text:

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Firefighters respond to a 911 call on July 16, 2024, in Mill Creek. Firefighters from South County Fire, Tulalip Bay Fire Department and Camano Island Fire and Rescue left Wednesday to help fight the LA fires. (Photo provided by South County Fire)
Help is on the way: Snohomish County firefighters en route to LA fires

The Los Angeles wildfires have caused at least 180,000 evacuations. The crews expect to arrive Friday.

x
Edmonds police shooting investigation includes possibility of gang violence

The 18-year-old victim remains in critical condition as of Friday morning.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River. Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council approves water, sewer rate increases

The 43% rise in combined water and sewer rates will pay for large infrastructure projects.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

The Everett Municipal Building on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Everett council approves $111 million construction of sewer project

The Port Gardner Storage Facility, in the works for more than a decade, will help prevent overflows of the city sewer system.

Two students walk along a path through campus Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022, at Everett Community College in Everett, Washington. A group of nearly 20 community groups are planning to study how to make it easier for young people to find jobs. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Goal for Everett coalition: Make it easier for young people to find jobs

The organizations hope the months-long process will improve access to resources for young people.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.