BREAKING NEWS is a rumour going the rounds last Friday afternoon that
the Airbus A 380 will not appear at Farnborough, something Toulouse
failed to deny. ”No comment,” they say. On 13 June Airbus officially
announced a review of the A380 programme noting that the delivery
schedule would undergo a shift of six to seven months due to
production ramp-up issues. To date five of the 15 aircraft assembled
have actually flown, all Rolls-Royce powered. Airbus only plans to
deliver nine aircraft next year. By taking a ”plane to Farnborough for
the complete show Airbus will lose up to a fortnight”s development
time, critical at present. The French holidays loom which will further
affect certification. If the A380 does not make the show an over fly
or touch and go might happen. Or just an appearance on the Monday
(17 July) press day which will disappoint millions. As far as
Farnborough”s organisers are concerned it is all go for the A380.
http://www.airbus.com
http://www.farnborough.com