Hello and welcome to a new episode by Flyboys Aviation!
Today's episode is about the A380.
Although the aircraft is a technological marvel, its commercial success has been very limited
indeed.
The story that came out last week about Air France cutting half of their A380 fleet was
another blow to the program.
What is the cause for all of this?
Let's find out together!
In the nineties Boeing and Airbus had different philosophies regarding the future of long
haul travel.
Boeing believed that more point-to-point flights would emerge that required smaller twinjet
aircraft.
That's why they started developing the 787 Dreamliner.
Airbus, on the other hand, believed that large hubs such as London Heathrow, LAX and Hong
Kong would become even more dominant.
Flights between these major slot-restricted hubs required high-capacity airliners such
as the A380.
Now, some twenty years later, it is very clear which prediction was correct.
The A380 hasn't sold half as well as Airbus had hoped.
It turns out that the A380 is nothing more than an aircraft for a niche market.
With the exception of Emirates, all airlines that have the A380 operate a limited number
of them on a limited number of routes.
Boeing's prediction of more point-to-point routes did turn out to be true.
Looking at the Chinese aviation market one can see this.
Many Chinese airlines operate the 787 and A350 on point to point routes from different
cities in China to the rest of the world.
In contrast, China Southern is the only Chinese airline that operates the A380.
And even they have a tiny fleet of only 5 aircraft.
The A380 hasn't even been sold in the Americas and Africa.
Furthermore, airlines have difficulties filling up the aircraft year-round.
This is problematic since the aircraft has excellent economics when fully loaded but
is uneconomical if not all seats are filled.
Next to that, many airports around the world are not able to handle the aircraft.
It seems that Emirates is the only airline that has found a way to profitably operate
the aircraft and it is this airline that is keeping the program afloat, albeit barely.
Thanks so much for watching!
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On my channel you will find a new video every week that delves deeper into the fascinating
world of aviation and offers you new insights!
See you around!
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