Airbus Finally Delivers First A380 'Superjumbo' Jet

After 2 years of delays, Airbus SAS delivered its first behemoth A380 to Singapore Airlines today. The world’s largest jet fell behind schedule, and development costs ballooned to $18 billion, when workers were forced to install 300 miles of wiring by hand. It should fly on Oct. 25, but investors still doubt Airbus can meet production goals for future A380s, Bloomberg says.

To reverse $810 million in losses, Airbus is cutting 10,000 jobs while ramping up production, hoping to produce 13 superjumbos next year, and 40 per year by 2010—which even its CEO admits will be “no walk in the park.” Airbus now has 165 firm orders and 24 commitments from 16 customers. (More airplane stories.)