Howl by Allen Ginsberg

Airbus . A spokesman for EADS , Michael Hauger , would neither confirm nor deny reports in some European newss that shipments were likely to be pushed back another six months , or that Airbus might only deliver four of the planes next year instead of the nine promised in June

But word of additional delays has begun to strain the patience of the 16 airlines that have signed up for 159 of the 555-seat jets "Any further delay could have an impact on when we would be able to introduce the A380 onto our routes " said

Paul Charles , a spokesman for Virgin Atlantic , which has ed six of the planes "We await to hear from Airbus what the new delivery schedule for our aircraft is expected to be . We are waiting to get this crucial information and when we do , we are going to be looking at all of our options

Emirates , the largest single A380 customer with 43 jets on , also appeared to waver from its past commitment to the 300 million plane The carrier 's chief executive , Tim Clark , said Thursday that Emirates now awaited "clarification " of the new delivery schedule before making any decisions "with regard to cancellation , compensation , damages , et cetera " His statement followed comments from an Emirates spokeswoman who said the delay had placed the airline 's A380 "up in the air "They are all over the shop on this " said a frustrated airline executive , in reference to Airbus "It definitely leads one to question the credibility of Airbus over future planes " said this person , who declined to be identified because the airline is an A380 customer

Some analysts said yet another significant delay also risked further damage to investor confidence in top executives . Airbus already underwent a management crisis sparked by its June 13 admission by Airbus...