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A380 still set to win new customers, says Airbus

A380 still set to win new customers, says Airbus

Photo by Keith Campbell

28th May 2015

By: Keith Campbell

Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor

  

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European manufacturer Airbus is confident that it will win more orders for its flagship A380 Superjumbo airliner before the end of this year. "We should have some orders for the [A]380 this year," company chief operating officer: customers John Leahy told aviation journalists in Toulouse, France, on Thursday. "There is demand for the [A]380 out there. We have several [sales] campaigns [under way]."

"Passengers love it," he highlighted. "Passengers go out of their way to fly A380s. It is inevitable that they [the airlines] will be flying more A380s." To date, a little over 300 A380s have been sold and one takes off or lands every three minutes, worldwide. He described the aircraft as the "undisputed industry flagship".

Today, A380s are responsible for 9.6% of aircraft movements but 15.8% of passengers at Frankfurt Airport, 5.3% of movements but 9% of passengers at Hong Kong International Airport, 6.8% of movements but 11.5% of passengers at London Heathrow, 10.2% of movements but 17% of passengers at Paris Charles de Gaulle and 5.4% of movements and 11.5% of passengers at Los Angeles International Airport. "We're doing more with less!" he asserted.

He pointed out that, today, more than 90% of all long-haul air traffic was on routes to, from, or via just 42 cities. By 2023, this is forecast to become more than 95% of all long-haul traffic being to, from or via 71 cities. By 2033, this is likely to become 99% of long-haul traffic to, from or via 91 cities. "Those are the cities that have to be covered with A380s. There is no other way to do it."

Air traffic is still expected to grow strongly in the coming years and decades. This is largely due to economic growth in emerging countries. In 2013, 22% of the population of the emerging countries took an aeroplane trip every year. By 2033, this proportion is expected to reach 66%. "That is the growth story of aviation," stated Leahy. "That is also the growth story of the world economy. One of the reasons for this is the growth of the middle class [globally]. When you have a big middle class, you have people who travel for business and you have people with disposable income."

"There's a new move [among airlines and their customers], going to premium economy [class]. This is a growing trend with A380 operators," he reported. "Premium economy is, or soon will be, offered by five A380 operators." Post the global recession, demand for first and business class air travel has not returned to pre-2008 levels. Hence the development of the concept of premium economy. In four-class configuration (first, business, premium economy and economy classes) and with 11-abreast seating in economy class (but with economy-class seats that are 18" wide, between the arm rests), an A380 can carry 544 passengers.

In April, Airbus celebrated the tenth anniversary of the A380's first flight. The type's largest single operator, Emirates, has been pushing for a re-engined (new engine option) version. Leahy observed that it was "a very big sell to our board" to undertake major changes to the A380, for one customer, even if it was Emirates. "We're studying it."

Emirates received its first A380 in 2008 and the company rarely operates any aircraft for more than 12 years, so in a few years it will start releasing aircraft on to the second-hand market. "Those used aircraft I see as a big opportunity," affirmed Leahy. "Let's say that at their half-life point [about 12 years], they're leased at $100-million. That's about $1-million a month. [Which is cheaper than the leasing rates for Boeing 777-300ER wide-body airliners.] I see that as a great market opportunity." It would make the A380 a viable option for airlines that had not previously considered the type.

Keith Campbell is attending the Airbus Innovation Day 2015, at the group's complex at Toulouse-Blagnac Airport, as a guest of the company.

Edited by Chanel de Bruyn
Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor Online

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