Airbus delays delivery of 1st A380 to Russia's Transaero

European planemaker Airbus is delaying the delivery of Russian carrier Transaero Airline's first A380 superjumbo, an Airbus spokeswoman said as the recession-hit Russian economy dents travel demand in the region.

Transaero is buying four A380s, initially slated for delivery from this year. A new schedule is under discussion as lower oil prices and sanctions over Russia’s annexation of Crimea weigh on the economy and ruble, crimping flight bookings.

Boeing Co. has said it, too, is negotiating alternative schedules with Russian buyers. Martin Bentrott, vice president for civil sales in the Middle East, Russia and central Asia, said Tuesday at the Moscow show that Aeroflot Russian Airlines may still take 22 787s worth $4.8 billion, though not before 2018. Giorgio Callegari, deputy chief executive at Russia’s biggest carrier, said in June that the order had been scrapped.

Transaero also has four Boeing 747-8 jumbos on order and is scheduled to take the first two this year. The order “remains unchanged,” Boeing spokesman Doug Alder said.