Airbus today, met its revised A380 delivery schedule for 2008 of 12 aircraft.
In Hamburg, Airbus delivered its 12th A380 of 2008, to its largest A380 customer Emirates.
MSN020 registered as A6-EDD is the fourth of 58 ordered by Emirates, and the 13th overall A380 delivered out of 198 orders.
Airbus has been steadily improving its A380 delivery performance by reducing time between first flight and delivery.
In 2009, Airbus has set a goal of 21 A380s, which will include delivery to three new customers. Air France, Lufthansa and China Southern. Airbus has implemented the standardised wiring bundles in the “Wave 2” aircraft from MSN026 (4th A380 to be delivered to Qantas early next year as VH-OQD Fergus McMaster) onwards.
In 2008, Airbus delivered 5 A380s to launch customer, Singapore Airlines, 4 to Emirates, and 3 to Qantas. In 2007, Airbus had delivered its first and only A380 to Singapore Airlines.
Click here for a complete A380 production list
Airbus President and Chief Executive Officer, Tom Enders said
We have met our 2008 delivery schedule. That was only possible thanks to a tremendous team effort. This gives us a good basis to further ramp up our production in 2009. With the in-service fleet steadily growing, our airline customers are benefiting from lower operating costs while their passengers are benefiting from unequalled cabin comfort and quietness. The environment is benefiting too. With lower emissions and noise, the A380 is the most eco-efficient aircraft in service today.
As per Airbus the in-service A380 fleet has flown more than 21,000 revenue flight hours in more than 2,200 commercial flights carrying more than 890,000 passengers.
Very commendable. Congratulations to the Airbus team.