News
Airbus announces six-month delay in A350 program
Nov. 10, 2011, Paris, Fra. - Airbus parent company EADS NV said Thursday it took a $273 million charge in its third quarter accounts because of a new delay in the launch of its strategic long-range jet the A350XWB.
November 10, 2011 By Carey Fredericks
The European aircraft manufacturer says the A350 lightweight composite jet will enter service during the first half of 2014, up to six months after it was previously expected to begin carrying passengers.
The company gave no explanation for the delay in a statement. The announcement came as EADS announced higher third quarter profit and raised its earnings guidance for the full year.
The A350XWB is a new long-range jet designed to go head-to-head with rival Boeing's much-hyped jet, the 787. Airbus says the use of lightweight carbon composite materials and advances in the aircraft's aerodynamics will make it 25 per cent more fuel efficient
than current jets. But the program has given Airbus engineers headaches throughout its long development.
Airbus said final assembly of the A350 will start in the first quarter of next year, with entry into service in the first half of 2014.
EADS' net profit in the third quarter rose to C312 million, up from C13 million a year earlier. Airbus, the largest part of the company that also includes helicopter maker Eurocopter, satellite builder Astrium and defence electronics firm Cassidian, delivered 376 aircraft during the first nine months of 2011. The company expects to deliver between 520 and 530 aircraft in total this year.
