Airbus plays down A380 cutback while bracing for fresh losses

Farnborough, England

AIRBUS sought to reassure investors on Wednesday that its decision to cut production of the world's biggest passenger jet, the A380, would not badly hurt the group, while bracing for fresh losses on a second flagship European project.

Doubts over demand for the double-decker A380 and more cost overruns on the A400M military airlifter overshadowed fresh jet orders as the two planes, developed at a combined cost of 35 billion euros (S$52.3 billion), flew under grey skies at the Farnborough Airshow.

Airbus Group CEO Tom Enders said that the company remained optimistic about long-term prospects for the 544-seat A380, and …