Airbus conducting "major review" of A380 delivery schedule

The AP (4/30, Vandore) reports, "Airbus is conducting a 'major review' of its delivery schedule for the A380 superjumbo," according to CEO Thomas Enders. While calling the review "standard practice," Enders also "acknowledged that the goal of delivering four A380s per month by 2010 won't be easy," according to company spokesman Stefan Schaffrath. Schaffrath "withdrew earlier comments saying Airbus is 'confident more than ever' about the program that he had attributed to Enders," and added that "[t]he A380 is in the critical phase of steep production ramp-up." Schaffrath explained that the company "is reviewing whether workers and suppliers are ready for the change from individual plane production to full industrialization, and whether the delivery schedule can be maintained." The AP notes that "Airbus has previously said it is committed to handing over 13 A380s in 2008, 25 in 2009, and 45 in 2010." However, it has faced several delays in the past, and therefore late delivery penalties, as well as "spiraling development costs."