Thai Airways International has demanded that European plane maker Airbus pay fines and additional compensation for a two-year delay in delivery of A380 superjumbo jets, the airline said yesterday.
"Negotiations with Airbus started last month and remain under way, with the exact amount of the fines still not decided. We also demanded other forms of compensation for damages caused to our business," Thai Airways president Apinan Sumanaseni said.
"We aim to conclude the negotiations this month. Then, it would be subject to the board's consideration by mid-December for a final decision," he added.
The carrier ordered six 555-seat Airbus A380s, but the delivery has been postponed by 22 months from the original date in 2009.
The first three are scheduled for delivery in early 2011, while no date has been set for the remaining three aircraft.
Apinan said Thai Airways has yet to rule out canceling its orders.
"It depends on the negotiations; if we are not satisfied with the results, the deal needs to be canceled," he said.
The Bangkok Post newspaper put the value of six A380s at US$1.7 billion, but Apinan declined to confirm exact figure, saying only that the reported number is "too high."
Airbus announced on Thursday that its A380, the world's largest aircraft, will make its first visit to Thailand this week.
The superjumbo is due to touch down at Bangkok's new Suvarnabhumi airport on Tuesday and depart on Thursday.
RSS