Berlin - Representatives of the seven nations that have ordered the A400M transport plane from Airbus are to meet with the firms managers Thursday, in an effort to resolve strife over the delays and rising costs of the project. Production of the military transporter plane, which made its maiden flight in December, is nearly two years late and 25 per cent over budget.
The chief executives of Airbus and its parent firm EADS were expected in Berlin later Thursday, to meet with officials from Germany, France, Britain, Spain, Luxembourg, Belgium and Turkey. Some 180 aircraft in total have been ordered.
Airbus has repeatedly warned that if the ordering nations do not agree to pay more for their aircraft, the total project could be scrapped in the face of rising costs.
