Airbus Meets A380 Target

PARIS -- European plane maker Airbus said Tuesday it has met its target of delivering 12 A380 superjumbos this year -- with just two days to spare.

In a bid to reassure customers, CEO Tom Enders had wagered reporters a magnum of Champagne during a September news conference that Airbus would reach its A380 target this year. No one accepted his bet.

On Tuesday, in a statement, Enders announced, "we have met our 2008 delivery schedule." He thanked "a tremendous team effort."

Image-tarnishing delays, technical problems and missteps dating back to 2005 slowed the plane's development.

The final A380 delivered this year was handed over Tuesday to Dubai's Emirates airline, which has a total of 4 superjumbos.

Singapore Airlines took an additional 5 A380s this year. Australia's Qantas received 3.

Airbus has booked a total of 198 orders for the A380 from 16 customers.