Firm to delay delivery of Superjumbo A380

Airbus parent EADS has announced new delays on deliveries of the superjumbo A380, saying it needs more time and resources to get the planes ready.

The European aircraft maker said in a statement today that it will deliver 12 planes this year instead of 13, and 21 planes next year instead of 25.

The A380, the world’s biggest passenger plane, was plagued by delays in the run-up to the delivery of the first jet to Singapore Airlines last year.

Airbus said deliveries for 2010 will be discussed with customers in the coming weeks.

It will take more time to determine the financial impact of the revised delivery schedule and the extent of additional costs.

The company could have to pay penalties to airline customers for any aircraft delivered later than agreed.

The company is trying to switch over from individual production of the planes to serial production.

Airbus said time and resources needed for individual production were “higher than expected,” causing delays to the changeover.

Airbus, which is owned by European Aeronautic Defence & Space Co., has delivered four A380s to Singapore Airlines so far, and 17 more are in various stages of production.

EADS is to release first-quarter earnings Wednesday.