It’s official. European aircraft manufacturer Airbus has confirmed it will stop making its magnificent A380, the world’s largest passenger aircraft, a plane loved by passengers but never quite trusted by the accountants who measure airline profitability.
Yesterday’s decision, which arrived just days after Qantas decided to decline the last eight A380s it had ordered a few years ago, was predicted earlier this week by Global Travel Media: Valentine’s Day kiss goodbye after Qantas A380 snub?
In a statement issued yesterday afternoon, Australian time, Airbus said it would make its last deliveries of the aircraft in 2021.
Airbus made the momentous decision after Emirates, the largest customer of the A380, cut back on a huge order.
Emirates had single-handedly kept the Airbus A380 program afloat, but it began to have second thoughts. See: Fly A380 while you can – big plane’s future again in doubt
In a statement issued yesterday, Airbus said Emirates would reduce its A380 order book from 162 to 123 aircraft. Beside that, the Qantas decision to reject its final eight of the planes, was a side-issue.
Airbus chief executive Tom Enders put it bluntly: “As a result of this decision [from Emirates] we have no substantial A380 backlog and hence no basis to sustain production, despite all our sales efforts with other airlines in recent years. This leads to the end of A380 deliveries in 2021.
“Passengers all over the world love to fly on this great aircraft. Hence today’s announcement is painful for us and the A380 communities worldwide.”
Thousands of workers stand to be laid off after the Airbus decision.
Airbus says it will start discussions with partners regarding the “3000 to 3500 positions potentially impacted over the next three years”.
The A380 was so popular, they even made a model out of chocolate. This giant A380 chocolate replica flies from the ceiling of a Berlin confectionary store. (Photo by Peter Needham)
The A380 is produced at plants throughout Europe.
Airbus will deliver the last 14 A380s to Emirates over the next two years.
Written by Peter Needham
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Probably the last “four holer” we’ll see, with the A340 gone and now the 747 and A380 in decline. Passengers like four engines. Airlines don’t. I personally like the idea that if I’m in the air crossing the ocean and the nearest airport is four hours away, that I’ve go three spares to count on should one engine fail. Having said that, I didn’t find the A380 much greater than other airliners for comfort, and in QF’s case, the Business cabin in the A330 is much superior to that in the A380.
Probably the last “four holer” we’ll see, with the A340 gone and now the 747 and A380 in decline. Passengers like four engines. Airlines don’t. I personally like the idea that if I’m in the air crossing the ocean and the nearest airport is four hours away, that I’ve go three spares to count on should one engine fail. Having said that, I didn’t find the A380 much greater than other airliners for comfort, and in QF’s case, the Business cabin in the A330 is much superior to that in the A380.