SCHIPHOL-RIJK (dpa-AFX) - Airbus Group NV (EADSF.PK, EADSY.PK) has agreed to drop an order for six A380 aircraft from Japan's Skymark Airlines Inc. as the airline is not in a position to afford the aircraft, Bloomberg reported quoting people familiar with the decision. Skymark's stock tumbled over 10 percent in Tokyo.
Discussions are said to be in progress regarding compensation and cancellation of the order.
The A380 has not had a new airline customer in the past two years. It had no new takers at the Farnborough Air Show that took place this month. The aircraft is the biggest and most expensive commercial airliner.
A380's most loyal buyer has been Emirates, which has 50 such aircraft in service and 140 on order.
Skymark inked a firm contract for four A380s in 2011, and later ordered two more. The aircraft has a list price of $414 million per unit, even as customers get discounts.
Airbus closed down 1.1 percent on Monday at 44.02 euros. Skymark shares are currently declining 10.1 percent in Tokyo at 259.00 yen.
Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX