First Airbus A380 ready for delivery

PARIS, Oct. 14 (UPI) -- Airbus officials say the airline group is finally prepared to deliver its first A380 passenger jetliner to Singapore Airlines, albeit 18 months behind schedule.

Aviation analysts said the fact the France-based airline was unable to meet its initial deadline for the plane's production due to persistent delays will likely tarnish the group's reputation globally, the BBC reported Sunday.

"It is something to celebrate when you launch a new airplane and get it turned over to a client," U.S. analyst John Nance said of Monday's scheduled delivery.

"But this has been a very difficult delivery and the troubles will resonate for some time."

The creation of the new airplane, which will be able to hold 800 passengers, also has been marred by allegations of insider trading against employees of Airbus' parent company, EADS.

The BBC said EADS managers were accused of wrongdoing in the sale of company shares prior to the official announcement of the A380 project delays in 2006.