Aircraft
Airbus DS Chief Frustrated With A400M Delays
A revised delivery schedule is still awaited, because of the propeller gearbox problems.
An A400M for the French Air Force during a test flight. (Photo: Airbus DS)
An A400M for the French Air Force during a test flight. (Photo: Airbus DS)

The new chief executive officer at Airbus Defence & Space (DS) has voiced his frustration with the technical problems that have slowed deliveries of the A400M airlifter. Interviewed for the company’s internal newspaper, On Air, Hoke said, “It’s not solely down to us that output is not where it should be. Without the gearbox issues at our subcontractor GE/Avio, we would have had a solid delivery schedule for this year.” DS recorded an additional net charge of just over €1 billion in its half-year accounting this week.