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Airbus prepares to announce termination of A380 program on February 14
Toulouse - The bad news is piling up for the Airbus's superjumbo. The European manufacturer may announce this week that it would end production of the Airbus A380. (airlinerwatch.com) Más...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
It certainly a masterpiece of aeronautical engineering just too BIG for its time. The fuel burn was phenomenal. Pilots barking at controllers to Hurry up because tons of fuel were wasted on clogged tarmacs with These whales. Listen to the pilot and tower exchanges in New York.
I knew that when Airbus said the breakeven point was 120 units sold, that was wishful thinking. Also, foregoing a cargo version was a huge mistake as well. When FedEx and UPS ordered 777F & 747-8F units respectively, the handwriting was on the wall. I saw a Korean Air A380 being pushed back at ATL, and they had to hold ground traffic for it. There is such a parameter as being TOO big. Many have said the 747 is the "sweet spot" for large-size airliners. Witness Boeing producing the 777X with folding wingtips to fit existing large airliner gates!
The "handwriting was on the wall" when they announced they were upping the a350 production rate but didn't really admit it was on idle a380 production lines. As for the financials, review the stock performance for BA vs. EASDF. Brought to you by the same folks, basically, that produced the spectacularly performing but spectacular fail that was Concorde. The historic time in service in 121 ops. may be similiar as the previously unheard of point to point routes and ETOPS negate the luxury of sir tim's sand box and $50.00 oil neuters the subsidies that made it all happen. As for freight, an airplane that can go anywhere, but can't land anywhere. History, not a mystery.
bentwing60, Sir you are most definitely old school. Nothing gets by you and I respect that enormously. Thanks for your great Squawks. Some days seem backwards but you sort it out in short order.
Thank you Cansoir.
lol - the definition of a left-handed compliment.