Paris - Airbus delivered 18 A380 superjumbo airliners this year, less than its reduced target of 19, but is likely to set a new annual record of more than 500 aircraft of all kinds delivered, a spokesman said Thursday.
"The aircraft number 19 will be delivered in early January," said an Airbus spokesman.
Australian airline Qantas, which is due to receive the aircraft, confirmed the delay.
"The next A380 delivery is scheduled for early to mid-January," said a Qantas spokesman.
Company chairman Thomas Enders only two weeks ago had reduced the A380 delivery target to 19 from 20 following the failure of a Rolls Royce engine in a Qantas A380 in November.
Despite the delay in A380 deliveries the European aircraft manufacturer should still set a new annual delivery record.
"It is very likely that we will have delivered more than 500 aircraft," said the Airbus spokesman.