European planemaker Airbus has lost a $2.2bn order from Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways for seven of its twin-engined long-range A350-1000 aircraft.
The move follows the airline’s cancellation of six A350-1000 aircraft in December last year, which reduced its order to 12 A350s, less than half the number initially agreed.
An Airbus spokesman was quoted by Zawya Dow Jones as saying: "I can confirm Etihad has cancelled seven A350-1000s."
Airbus had initially promised to deliver the A350-1000 by 2014, but was forced to delay delivery last year, saying it required three more years to enhance the aircraft’s performance.
An Etihad spokesman said that while the company has reduced their firm orders, their 25 options and purchase rights for the fleet remain in place.
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By GlobalData"Although not intrinsically linked, the recent delay to the A350 XWB programme provided an appropriate opportunity for Etihad to revisit its projected fleet mix in the latter part of the decade," the spokesman said.
The A350-1000 variant currently has 62 orders and has received no orders from new customers since 2008, while the company’s A350-900 has 368 orders, and the A350-800 has 118.
Boeing has also reported major order cancellations, which include China Eastern Airlines and Shanghai Airlines switching their respective orders of 24 787 Dreamliners for 45 737-88 aircraft, and a cancellation of 787 Dreamliner from a private client.
Image: Etihad Airways has cancelled its $2.2bn order for seven Airbus A350-1000 aircraft. Photo: courtesy of Airbus.
