newstodate.aero
Apr 27, 2007 (newstodate): The suspension of Airbus' A380 freighter program was a deliberate decision taking into account the risk to lose customers.
-We had to sacrifice the freighter program in order to free its 1,500 engineers that were needed in the recovery of the passenger aircraft program, said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer, at this week's Technical Press Briefing.
Eventually, all freighter customers cancelled their orders and options.
Only a year ago, Airbus had firm orders for a total of 27 A380F, including 10 for FedEx, two for Emirates SkyCargo, five for IFLC, and 10 for UPS, besides a number of options.
Airbus now says the A380 may become available from 2014.
-We had to sacrifice the freighter program in order to free its 1,500 engineers that were needed in the recovery of the passenger aircraft program, said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer, at this week's Technical Press Briefing.
Eventually, all freighter customers cancelled their orders and options.
Only a year ago, Airbus had firm orders for a total of 27 A380F, including 10 for FedEx, two for Emirates SkyCargo, five for IFLC, and 10 for UPS, besides a number of options.
Airbus now says the A380 may become available from 2014.