Virgin Defers Airbus A380 Delivery by Four Years

Richard Branson’s Virgin Atlantic said earlier this week it was pushing back delivery of its first Airbus A380 super jumbo by four years, giving the plane maker time to sort out problems encountered in wiring the mammoth planes.

Virgin said it still intended to take delivery of all six of the $300-million jetliners it has on order, but now would not see its first one until 2013.

“Virgin Atlantic has reached agreement in principle with Airbus to defer deliveries of its Airbus A380 aircraft until 2013. By then, we believe the A380 will have proven its innovative design over several years in commercial service,” the airline said in a press release.

An Airbus spokesman confirmed that the agreement would help the plane maker focus on deliveries to its core, launch customers. Airbus is running two years behind schedule in producing the A380 because of problems encountered in wiring the 555-seat double-deckers.

Some airlines, forced to lease planes to fill planned routes until the A380 is ready, have asked Airbus for compensation. A spokeswoman declined to comment on whether Virgin had sought financial compensation for delays to A380 deliveries.