The European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS), builder of Airbus jets, plunged into a stock market vortex on Wednesday, losing about €7-billion in the first few hours of trading on further production delays to its super-jumbo A380 flagship and a profit warning.
EADS stock was down 28,05% at €18.29 in mid-day trading in Paris.
But it had fallen at one point by 34,10% to €16.75, marking a fall of 52,7% from a peak this year of €35,42 on March 27.
The shares had closed at €25,42 on Tuesday shortly before Airbus told clients that deliveries of its A380, which can carry between 550 and 840 passengers, would again be delayed by six to seven months because of a production problem.
EADS said only nine of the aircraft would be delivered in 2007, seriously affecting its financial results. EADS currently owns 80% of Airbus, while BAE Systems of Britain holds 20% but has signed an agreement to sell it to EADS.
The parent group warned that operating profit would be cut by “about €500-million” ($625-million) per year during the period 2007-2010.
“Possible contract terminations under the new timetable have not been taken into account in this estimate,” it added.
The group, which has also run into criticism from potential clients over its projected A350 airliner, expects to make an operating profit of €3,2 to €3,4-billion this year. The A350, a competitor to the new Boeing 787, will take two years longer than planned to develop because Airbus is reviewing the design.
Airbus said the delay, the second time the program has been set back by six months, was for industrial reasons only.
Sixteen airlines have ordered 159 of the super-jumbo jets to date. Compared to the initial delivery target, shortfalls of five to nine aircraft deliveries were now expected in 2008 and of around five aircraft in 2009.
Airbus had initially planned to deliver 20-25 A380s in 2007, around 35 in 2008 and 45 in 2009.
But the aircraft manufacturer stressed that it was still on track to win certification for the plane and to deliver the first unit at the end of this year to Singapore Airlines.
Singapore Airlines (SIA) said on Wednesday it was in compensation talks with Airbus following announcement of the delay.
“We are disappointed with the news of further delays but will work with Airbus to minimise the delays and their impact,” an SIA spokesperson said in a statement.
“On the issue of compensation, we are in discussion with Airbus on this,” he said.
The latest delay will not affect SIA’s plans to be the first airline to fly the A380 and the carrier still expects to take delivery of the plane by the end of the year, the spokesperson said.
SIA has ordered 10 A380s, the biggest airliners to date, with an option for another 15, for $8,6-billion to operate initially on flights from Singapore to London and Sydney.
Elsewhere in Asia, Korean Air, which has ordered five A380s, said it would proceed with the deal despite the delay. Thai Airways said its A380 deliveries had already been postponed from late 2008 to early 2009 and that the latest announcement by EADS would have little impact on the airline.
But in Dubai, Emirates airline warned on Wednesday that a further delivery delay could hurt its expansion plans and future revenue.
“It obviously delays expansion plans and affects potential future revenue,” said a company spokesperson.
“We have to talk to Airbus about it. We have an agreement and each side has certain obligations. If there is a delay from their side there are penalties which they have to pay, and vice versa if the delay is from our side.”
The Middle Eastern carrier has placed the largest single order for the A380, planning to take up to 43 aircraft.
In Sydney, Australian flag carrier Qantas, which has ordered 12 A380s, said it would meet Airbus officials in the next two weeks to dicuss compensation. – AFP