MAS' A380 delivery delayed six months

MAS' A380 delivery delayed six months

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airline System Bhd. (MAS) said on Sunday there will be a six-month delay in the delivery of the first super-jumbo Airbus A380 jetliner it ordered.

The flag carrier said it was informed by France-based Airbus that the first of six A380s will be delivered in July 2007 instead of January 2007.

"We are naturally disappointed with this delay," Malaysia Airline's Executive Director Tengku Azmil Zaharuddin said in a statement. "We are considering our options on this matter, but will continue to engage with Airbus to ensure that any inconvenience to our customers and financial impact to the airline are minimized."

No reason for the delay was given in the statement.

Malaysia Airline and its parent, Penerbangan Malaysia Bhd., will discuss compensation for the delay with Airbus, the statement said. Penerbangan Malaysia signed a memorandum of understanding with Airbus to acquire the six planes in January 2003, and the acquisition was ratified in December 2003.

Last month, Singapore Airlines Ltd., the first A380 customer, criticized Airbus for a delay in the delivery of its order from March 2006 to November 2006. Its chief executive, Chew Choon Seng, said the wait had caused a serious disruption to the airline's plans. -- AP