FedEx Express became the first airline to cancel an order for the Airbus A380 cargo jet, citing repeated delivery setbacks from the European manufacturer. The Memphis-based freight carrier pulled its order for 10 A380 freighters in November 2006.
In place of the Airbus aircraft, FedEx Express committed to purchasing 15 Boeing 777 Freighters, with options to acquire 15 additional planes. The A380 program has been plagued by production difficulties that pushed deliveries back by as much as two years.
FedEx Corp. chief executive Frederick Smith cited the Boeing jet's delivery schedule, payload capacity, and operating economics as key factors, saying the choice was "the best decision for FedEx, its customers, shareowners and employees."
The cancellation represents the strongest public signal to date that Airbus customers are losing patience with the delays surrounding the superjumbo program. Smith noted that the company had invested heavily in its network to keep pace with rising demand for air cargo services.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in November 2006, in its own words.