Airbus A380 woes deepen as Emirates delay accelerates cost cuts

Dubai

AIRBUS Group SE's struggles with its A380 superjumbo are deepening as the planemaker delays deliveries of a dozen aircraft over the next two years to Emirates, the double-decker's biggest buyer, potentially pushing the programme into the red.

Handovers of six A380s apiece originally planned for 2017 and 2018 will be shifted to a year later following an agreement between Emirates and engine supplier Rolls-Royce Holdings plc, Airbus said on Tuesday. The planemaker will accelerate cost cuts at the A380 operation to ensure that the "impact on break even in 2017 is minimal".