Could Impact UPS, FedEx Freighters

A recent announcement by Airbus that more delays of the super jumbo A380 were to be expected has prompting UPS and FedEx to become increasingly worried about the impact on their freighter orders.

Each company has ordered ten of the aircraft, with FedEx hoping to receive its planes in 2008. But, problems involving the wiring harness systems, which were first discovered in the passenger versions, are now delaying manufacturing operations for the freighter versions. “We are monitoring [the situation] very closely,” remarked a spokesman for UPS.

Meanwhile, Dubai-based Emirates Air is understandably concerned about their order too. The company had placed an order for forty passenger A380s, valued at $13 billion.

Although the company said it would wait for clarification from Airbus regarding the delays, if Emirates were to decide to cancel its order, it would very likely jeopardize further development of the A380.