Airbus Postpones First A350 Deliveries by as Much as Six Months
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Airbus SAS pushed back planned entry into service of its A350 aircraft by as much as six months as some parts arrive late, marking a setback in the planemaker’s effort to challenge Boeing Co.’s dominance in wide-body jets.
Assembly of the aircraft will start in the first quarter of next year, rather than late in 2011, Airbus parent European Aeronautic, Defence & Space Co. said today, as it reported earnings that beat estimates. First delivery is set for the first half of 2014 instead of the end of 2013. The delays will lead to a charge of 200 million euros ($271 million), EADS said.