Airbus anticipates 20 additional orders for its A380 superjumbo jet this year despite recent delays to the production timetable, a senior company official said Thursday.
John Leahy, the company's chief commercial officer, said in an interview with the British Broadcasting Corp.'s Radio 4 that Airbus also expects two new airlines to place orders for the aircraft.
Problems with production caused the delivery schedule for new A380s to be delayed an additional six months, Airbus disclosed last month. Shares in European Aeronautic Defense & Space Co., which owns 80 percent of Airbus, dropped 26 percent on June 14 when the delays were announced.
Leahy described the delivery problems as "an embarrassment," but said he anticipated they would soon be forgotten.
"I have had easier years, but I'm very happy with the Airbus program," he said.
Lufthansa, Air France, and Virgin Airways are among the 15 carriers that have already placed orders for the superjumbo.
Airbus endured a shakeup of its top management this week, part of a struggle to fend off U.S.-based rival Boeing Co. and keep customers loyal amid the A380 problems.
Airbus co-CEO Gustav Humbert resigned on Sunday and was succeeded by Christian Streiff, a former executive with building materials maker Compagnie de Saint-Gobain SA.
Noel Forgeard, the co-chief executive of EADS, stepped down and was replaced by Louis Gallois, head of France's SNCF rail operator and former chairman of engine maker Snecma.
BAE Systems PLC, which owns the remaining 20 percent of Airbus, said Wednesday that it will audit the group - part of the next step in a plan to sell its stake. The audit is not anticipated to be completed before the end of August.
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