Airbus has warned of a delay in delivering the A380 double-decker, Singapore Airlines said on Tuesday, but the airline said it still aimed to begin flights in the second half of 2006.

"We have been notified by Airbus of a delay and are working with them to minimize it," a Singapore spokesman said. "We are still working toward an entry into commercial service in the second half of 2006."

An Airbus spokesman confirmed the timeframe but declined to comment further on possible delays in delivery of the plane, which has cost EUR12 billion (USD$15.4 billion) to develop.

A spokesman for Emirates, the biggest customer with an order for 43 of the planes, said it still expected to take deliveries beginning next October.

A spokeswoman for Australian carrier Qantas said it also expected its first A380 at that time.

The world's largest airliner took its first flight last week and faces just over a year of further tests before certification and the start of deliveries.

The plane, which has a list price of USD$285 million, can seat more than 800 passengers, though most airlines that have ordered it say they plan to seat 500 to 650.

The plane has dominated development at Airbus as it looks set to displace the 747 jumbo built by US rival Boeing as the largest airliner flying.

Boeing is building a new mid-sized model called the 787 as it aims to wrestle back the lead in deliveries, which Airbus currently holds.