Airbus confirms A380 delivery delays

PARIS, June 1 (UPI) -- European aircraft maker Airbus confirms it will miss by six months the initial delivery date of its A380, capable of carrying more than 800 people.

Confirmation of the delay came after Australian carrier Quantas announced its reception of the first of 12 A380s has been pushed back from October 2006 to April 2007, the BBC reported Wednesday. Singapore Airlines, which ordered 10 of the A380s, also says its acquisition will likely be delayed.

Quantas has said it intends to seek compensation from Airbus for its expected failure to meet contracted deadlines.

The delay was "disappointing, given that we have met all of Airbus' deadlines for Qantas specifications," said Quantas Chief Executive Geoff Dixon.

Airbus, 80 percent owned by European Aeronautics and Space Co. and 20 percent by BAE Systems PLC, gave no reason for the delays.