But for the European planemaker and its parent European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co., the coming year may not be much easier.

Since new delays to the 555-seater A380 superjumbo came to light in June, EADS and Airbus have lost three CEOs, one A380 customer, a big potential order from another client and US$6,4 billion in forecast profits.

EADS shares have fallen about 25 percent since the start of the year.

The quadrupling of the A380 production delay to two years prompted FedEx to cancel its 10 orders and was a likely factor in Lufthansa's Dec.

6 decision to buy 20 747s instead.

The threat of customer defections still hangs over Toulouse, France-based Airbus as it enters the New Year - a prospect that chief operating officer John Leahy is keen to play down.

"Most of the customers I've talked to are annoyed, they're rightfully upset," Leahy said at a news conference earlier this month.

"But they aren't rushing for the doors."

Against this backdrop, the decision by US and European aviation authorities to certify the A380 for commercial service, 10 months before the first plane is due for delivery to Singapore Airlines, was a small mercy.

Nampa-AP

Marketplace News Headlines Of The Last 48 Hours

•  Financial meltdown knocks global factories
•  Tensions brew over EU's vetting of state aid to banks
•  DBN assistance paves way for women
•  China urges developed states to take lead in climate change
•  Bridgestone puts on the brakes at US plant Japanese firm will cut jobs and stop making tyres
•  Price transparency for Nam's telecoms sector
•  Consumer debt affects health
•  The mantra of the big guns and the cries of the back streets
•  SA mining unions call for halt to new lay-offs
•  Polytechnic receives financial boost
•  Nam moves to get ban on exports to SA lifted
•  BEE firms in SA must bail themselves out, say black managers
•  Maputo remains optimistic about foreign aid flows
•  US$500m biofuels project wants Mozambican labour to produce ethanol
•  Union asks leaders not to back down on aid for decent work
•  House market will worsen in South Africa, says Absa
•  Fortescue shares surge on bid rumours by BHP and China
•   Chinese manufacturing drops sharply
•  Ryanair makes new takeover bid for Aer Lingus