The recent announcement about additional delays on the A380 and 787 programs made me check my calendar. The last time I read about the A380 delay (the 787 delays have become almost a periodical thing) was the autumn of 2006 and Airbus promised to work hard to correct the situation. And it did: the new EIS date was met and now 4 aircraft are flying with a happy operator. Unfortunately as the situation seems to stabilize a new wave of delays were announced pushing deliveries to anxious customer back into the future. Initially I did not know if there was a problem with the dating of the article hence the checking of my diary.

The situation with the 787 is even worst since the aircraft has not flown yet (it fact it has just been powered up). Since this a blog I need to voice some concerns about the extremely optimistic test program which incorporates so many new technologies. But I am not an engineer so I am probably over cautious.

Here is a thought regarding the A380: delivering an innovating aircraft is very serious business. A lot of investment has been made and very often much more than in the case of adding another aircraft that has been flow before. Delaying the delivery particularly after the situation seems to stabilize is a bad thing. Although Airbus surely would have informed the customers that still leaves a bitter feeling. Currently airlines try to present an attractive product that would put them apart and help them maintain the positive developments of the last few years. The A380 is what the doctor order to achieve that (at least for the long trunk routes). The delays can throw a carefully laid plan a long time off. It seems it is great time that some consistency is used when delivery dates are arranged for the good of the manufacturers, the airlines and the paying passengers.

However the problems for Airbus do not stop here. We may be at the beginning of road leading to a very untoward crossroad regarding the long term prospect of the A380. If Airbus (as is its usual practice) does not announce at least one major order during one of the main aishows of the season, the program risks coming to a standstill. If that happens the delivery situation would improve but unfortunately not in a good way…