United Parcel Service has set up a team to “evaluate” its purchase of ten Airbus A380 freighters,which are said to be two years behind schedule. The UPS order for the new generation of “
mega-freighters”, each with capacity for up to 150 tonnes, is worth some $2.5 billion.EADS announced a third delay to A380 production earlier this month due to problems with theplane’s wiring. Although airlines around the world have been reviewing their purchase plans for thesuperjumbo as a result, none has yet cancelled orders.
UPS says “all options remain open” concerning its $2.5 billion 10-aircraft order, Reuters andother international media reported. UPS is expecting delivery of its first A380 in May 2010, eightmonths later than scheduled. UPS said, however, said there was no deadline for the evaluation andthat it was “open-ended”.
FedEx, which has also ordered 10 A380 freighters, has said that it expects no delays to its2009-2011 delivery schedule.
Emirates, Qantas and the US leasing firm International Lease Finance Corp. have also saidthey are keeping their options open.
