UPS to Cancel Airbus Freighters Order

[TallDutch]

Friday, March 2, 2007

UPS Inc., the world's largest shipping carrier, said Friday it will cancel its order for 10 Airbus A380 freighters, following delivery delays. The decision will leave the European aircraft manufacturer with no firm orders for the jumbo freighter.

The news follows a previous decision by Memphis, Tenn.-based FedEx Corp. to cancel its order for the freight version of the A380.

Atlanta-based UPS said the final cancellation decision will be formally presented to Airbus on the first date specified under an agreement reached last week that gives either party the right to terminate the order.

Last week's agreement specified a revised delivery schedule that delayed delivery of the first A380 jumbo freighter to UPS from 2010 to 2012. UPS originally expected its first freighter in 2009.

UPS said it had intended to complete an internal study of whether it could wait until 2012 for the aircraft, but now understands Airbus is diverting employees from the A380 freighter program to work on the passenger version of the plane.

"Based on our previous discussions, we had felt that 2012 was a reasonable estimate of when Airbus could supply this plane," David Abney, UPS chief operating officer and president of UPS Airline, said in a statement. "We no longer are confident that Airbus can adhere to that schedule."


http://www.townhall.com/News/NewsArticl ... a3a58d6d1d

[NIKV69]

It just gets worse and worse.

[Ari707]

747-800F anyone????

[T-Bird76]

The cancellation of the Freighter program is a double edge sword for Airbus. On the bad side they lose out on a emensely profitable segment of the market that Boeing will now totally control. On the birght side Airbus can divert those resources to the A350 and a NG A320.

[moose135]

The cancellation of the Freighter program is a double edge sword for Airbus. On the bad side they lose out on a emensely profitable segment of the market that Boeing will now totally control. On the birght side Airbus can divert those resources to the A350 and a NG A320.

Or focus on getting the passenger version of the A380 back on something resembling a schedule...

[Midnight Mike]

In the immediate short term this will help out Airbus as like everybody said they can free up the resources for other programs.

As to the A380 long term program, the UPS & FEDEX cancellations are a disaster.

Part of the business plan for the A380 was to have a freighter flying, with the cancellations from FEDEX, UPS, & Emirates (Emirates cancelled their A380F order some time ago) that market has suddenly gone away & so to have the number of projected airframes.

Also, the freighter version of the A380 was supposed to lead the way for the A380-900, that could in jeporady as well & a potential loss of those airframes.

Airbus had projected 1200 A380 sales in the next 20 years, who knows if they will even receive half of that number.

[T-Bird76]

In the immediate short term this will help out Airbus as like everybody said they can free up the resources for other programs.

As to the A380 long term program, the UPS & FEDEX cancellations are a disaster.

Part of the business plan for the A380 was to have a freighter flying, with the cancellations from FEDEX, UPS, & Emirates (Emirates cancelled their A380F order some time ago) that market has suddenly gone away & so to have the number of projected airframes.

Also, the freighter version of the A380 was supposed to lead the way for the A380-900, that could in jeporady as well & a potential loss of those airframes.

Airbus had projected 1200 A380 sales in the next 20 years, who knows if they will even receive half of that number.

Mark my words there will be no more then 300 frames built, save this thread and remember me when I'm right! 8) :D

[PhilDernerJr]

My guess is 301 airframes, Bob!

[Matt Molnar]

I bid 1 frame. Watch me kick ass in Blinko when they end up building 298.

[G-BOAD]

this sucks!
i wanted to see some A380Fs

[moose135]

this sucks!
i wanted to see some A380Fs

Give them a call, I'm sure you can get a sweetheart deal on one right about now :D

[Midnight Mike]

this sucks!
i wanted to see some A380Fs

Just imagine a A380 passenger aircraft with some packages on it, that should help ya out! :lol: :D

[NIKV69]

Mark my words there will be no more then 300 frames built, save this thread and remember me when I'm right!

1200?

I would be amazed if they deliver 270. Airbus is at a critical point right now. Most of what they have done with the 380 has now become ego driven to get in the air the biggest commercial airliner in history and they are beginning to pay dearly.

[nwafan20]

I saw this coming a mile away, although when UPS changed the schedule that threw me off... I guess I need to trust my instincts!

I say, around 250-300 frames built.

[hiss srq]

I am popping my champaign bottle right now. Cheers to UPS for making the smart move.