Fedex, frustrated with delays in the Airbus A380 program, cancelled its order for ten of the aircraft in the freighter configuration early this morning. Citing “significant delays for delivery of A380s” and a need to meet the growing global package demand, the freight carrier elected to purchase the Boeing 777F instead of the much larger Airbus A380 aircraft. In response to the largest blow dealt to the Airbus A380 program, an Airbus spokesman said that “Airbus regrets FedEx’s decision but understand[s] their need to urgently address capacity issues.”
Although Dubai-based Emirates has been threatening cancellation in recent months, Fedex is the first major carrier to follow through. Fedex’s cancellation came as a surprise to the aviation industry this morning; United Parcel Service, the main competitor of Fedex was rumored to be considering a cancellation, but such an action was not expected from Memphis based Fedex.
