Late departure: Airbus' new military transport plane has taken to the skies for its maiden flight

Another late departure. Airbus' new military transport plane, the A400M, has taken to the skies for its maiden flight. The plane took off at Seville in southern Spain less than an hour ago. A successful first flight but way overdue -- the plane's development is about three years behind schedule. Sound familar? Airbus's parent firm EADS has not been able to deliver its much-hyped new planes on time. The A380 superjumbo also came in overdue and over budget. Now Airbus is hoping sales of its new transporter will make up for the delays.