The A380 lands in Singapore on its first test flight outside Europe

The new double-decker plane is running four to six months behind schedule, with the first delivery now expected late next year.

This has angered some customers, with Singapore Airlines threatening to sue for damages, according to reports.

Airbus has now agreed to compensate airlines but would not say by how much.

"It is standard practice... payments will be made for each day of delay in delivery," said John Leahy, chief operating officer for customers.

"It is not an enormous amount of money considering how much the aircraft is worth."

Long-haul test

The company has promised there will be no further delays in the delivery of the jet.

Airbus has secured 159 firm orders for the plane so far and is in talks to sell the plane to more airlines in China and India.

Singapore Airlines has ordered 10 A380s, while Australian Qantas has ordered 12 of the jets and Malaysian Airlines has ordered six.

Some private individuals are also believed to have expressed an interest in buying one of the planes, which have a list price of 243m euros (�163m; $292m).

So far, Airbus says it is confident of keeping its lead against US rival Boeing.

On Friday, the superjumbo landed at Singapore's Changi Airport after its first long-haul test flight outside Europe.

The 13-hour flight from Airbus' base in Toulouse, France covered 13,500 kilometres (8,389 miles).