Stock News: Singapore Airlines says delivery of first A380 delayed to Q4 2007

Singapore Airlines Ltd (SIA) said the delivery of its first A380 aircraft will be delayed to the fourth quarter of 2007 and subsequent aircraft will arrive in 2008 and beyond. SIA was originally due to receive its first A380 early this year, but last month Airbus acknowledged that further delays in the program were possible. Airbus today confirmed a further delay to delivering the 19 A380 aircraft that SIA had ordered. "The delays are disappointing; all the more so because the flight test and certification programme is proceeding well, and the delays are down to production issues," the Singapore flag carrier said in a statement. SIA said it is assessing the impact of the delays on forward capacity growth and looking at options to mitigate the situation. Compensation will be provided under the confidential agreement between Airbus and SIA, it added. Nevertheless, SIA will still be adding new capacity, with its orders of 19 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. The first Boeing 777-300ER aircraft will be delivered in November and another five before the end of this year, it said.