Da airwise:
Airbus plans to decide on possible changes to its future A350 mid-sized aircraft by mid-2006 following complaints from customers, Airbus head Gustav Humbert said.
"We are talking intensively with our customers and looking very closely at the matter," Humbert told reporters in Dresden, Germany. "We have an A350 that is good. If we can improve it, we will do that with profitability and the market in mind."
Humbert declined to comment on details of possible changes or any financial implications.
His remarks suggest a decision could come in time for the Farnborough Air Show, due to take place in England from July 17 to July 23.
Important Airbus customers including Singapore Airlines have criticized Airbus for not doing enough to make the A350 competitive with Boeing's 787 Dreamliner, which has sold out the first three years of production.
Humbert reiterated that Airbus plans to deliver at least 420 aircraft this year and wants to win just as many new orders.
The chief executive expected at least one new customer for its giant A380 superjumbo this year as well as the first additional orders for the plane from existing A380 customers.
The first A380s would be delivered to launch customer Singapore Airlines at the end of this year as planned, he added.
Airbus was not currently working on a successor to the successful A320 family of short-haul aircraft, Humbert said.