Qatar Airways’ first A380 aircraft delivery was delayed as Airbus and the airline put the final touches on the double-decker, in a setback for the carrier as it prepares to host the industry’s annual gathering.
"Qatar Airways and Airbus have agreed to some fine tuning elements on the first A380 to be delivered to Qatar," Toulouse, France-based Airbus said in a statement. "This will impact the delivery and entry into service dates. New dates will be communicated once confirmed." Qatar Air wasn't immediately available to comment on a new date.
Qatar is slated to take its first three superjumbos in the next weeks and will use the airliner on routes including Paris and London. Airbus has several customers of the largest passenger aircraft receiving their first jet this year, including Qatar competitor Etihad Airways, Emirates, the biggest operator, will get its 50th A380 in coming weeks.
Executives from the aviation industry are descending upon Doha from today for this year’s annual general meeting of the International Air Transport Association, the trade association for the world’s airlines that represents more than 200 carriers.
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