Posted on 11/07/2006 10:13:41 AM PST by Righty_McRight
Fedex has cancelled its order for Airbus aircraft and switched its order to rival Boeing instead.
Fedex Express said it had cancelled its order for 10 Airbus A380-800F superjumbo because of delivery delays.
Instead it has ordered 15 Boeing 777 freighters - to be delivered between 2009 and 2011 - and has an option to take a further 15 aircraft.
Airbus said it regretted the decision but understood Fedex's "need to urgently address capacity issues".
Shares in Airbus owner EADS closed more than 3% lower on the French stock exchange on the news.
'Best decision'
"The availability and delivery timing of this aircraft, coupled with its attractive payload range and economics, make this choice the best decision for Fedex," Fedex chairman and chief executive Frederick W Smith said of the decision to swap to Boeing.
Airbus's superjumbo project has been dogged by repeated delays, which have cost senior managers their jobs and led to big customers threatening to renegotiate orders.
The problems have forced Airbus to issue three warnings of delays in the past two years.
The most recent was in October, when the firm, which has orders for 159 aircraft so far, told its customers they could face delays of up to two years.
Airbus is now expecting to deliver the first aircraft to Singapore Airlines in October 2007, almost two years behind the original schedule.
As a result of the repeated hold-ups, most of Airbus's A380 customers are deep in negotiations in the hope of improving the terms on which they are buying the aircraft.
Last month, Virgin Atlantic deferred its order for four years to 2013, while Emirates warned that it might cancel some of its order for 43 planes - Airbus's biggest order.
Down goes Airbus! Down goes Airbus! Down goes Airbus!
Airbus said it regretted the decision but understood Fedex's "need to urgently address capacity issues".Capacity issues? What FEDEX needs to address are its performance issues, e.g. it's lack of staying power, it's, um, prematureness, and it's, um, how shall I put this?--failure to establish or maintain rigidity. These are urgent issues, friends. Real marriage killers, since most marriages fail over sex or money issues. Wait. What were we talking about?--these elections have me all befuddled.
Why did they not purchase the new 747F? Anyone know?
No telling what will fall off or seize once they get this Airbus up in the air. No doubt the FedEx pilots are breathing a sigh of relief...
"Hey, I saw Castaway. I'm not getting into an Airbus and end up talking to a bloody volleyball!"
I work for FedEx. In one of our buildings there is a very large tabletop model of the Airbus with cutaway views demonstrating how all of the containers would be loaded. Oh well...
Thought I would bring that figure up to date.
Guard it.
It is likely the only "working" version of the plane thaqt will ever be produced.
The Fat Lady just sent her cast iron bra out to the tit-smith for cleaning.
The horror, the horror, the horror.
Gotta love it.
A380 has logged over 2,000 hours on over 600 test flights.
Paleo, the rivets just keep popping loose for Airbus.
Hehe, I only know because I did my own search before posting the same article!
Fedex Express said it had cancelled its order for 10 Airbus A380-800F superjumbo because of delivery delays.
Instead it has ordered 15 Boeing 777 freighters - to be delivered between 2009 and 2011 - and has an option to take a further 15 aircraft.
The ONE prototype that flies, yes.
I'd suggest this will become a collector's item. Might ask if the boss wants to sell it.
A net gain of 40, actually!
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