SYDNEY, Dec 16 (Reuters) - Australian carrier Qantas Airways Ltd has taken delivery of its second Airbus A380 superjumbo plane, allowing it to boost flights between Australian cities and Los Angeles, Qantas said on Tuesday.

Qantas is scheduled to take delivery of a third A380 on Dec 27, with a further four in 2009. The third plane will fly Sydney to London routes.

Qantas expects to have a fleet of 20 of the aircraft in service by the end of 2013.

European plane maker Airbus has been hit by cost overruns on the A380 and delivery delays, but recently completed a 51-plane order from Abu Dhabi's Etihad Airways that included six A380s.

The plane maker, paid on delivery, aims to release 12 A380s in 2008. As of October 2008, it had delivered nine A380 aircraft, according to its Website.