Feb 5 2025, 02:58 PM, updated 11 months ago
Speaking with Business Insider, President Sir Tim Clark said that Airbus should produce a new version of the A380-800 despite having concluded aircraft production in the early 2020s.
The Dubai carrier is the largest customer of the A380-800 and relies on the type for its long-haul operations worldwide.
However, Emirates has realised that Airbus is not proceeding with a new A380 model; thus, a replacement will be required. This proves challenging, considering that no planemaker offers a dedicated replacement.
Clark confirmed that a new aircraft could be feasible thanks to lighter materials and more efficient engines that would look to address some of the downsides visible with the A380-800.
Moreover, Emirates has confirmed that it has submitted its designs for a new A380 to encourage the planemaker to produce the aircraft.
Suggestions say that the new A380 model that Clark has proposed time and time again could be 25% more efficient than its predecessor and rely on next-gen technology being offered.
Speaking with Business Insider, Clark reaffirmed that there is a case in which a new A380 model could work, and if they put forward some $20 billion, Airbus would probably build it for the airline.
Emirates remains cautious about the trajectory of demand. The inability of airports to be built either quicker enough or expanded to cope with demand increases, and the role of high-capacity capacity aircraft can not be understated.
While the aircraft has experienced a resurgence since the COVID-19 pandemic and has proven helpful in some airlines’ fleets, the inefficiencies show that this is a short-term solution to supply chain problems and the inability to deliver next-generation twin-engine aircraft on time.
Why Emirates Loves The A380-800
Emirates is the largest operator of the A380. It ordered over 100 units and contributed significantly to keeping aircraft production alive for as long as it did.
The airline leverages its high-capacity nature to fly into airports around the world that are typically congested while bringing traffic through its home of Dubai, either to stay or for transit purposes.
Emirates is one of the few airlines that made the A380 work for them. Clark has confirmed that the aircraft is likely its most profitable asset. A valid case would exist to keep the plane on even longer if it could make operations cheaper and more environmentally friendly.
However, despite Emirates’ intense love for the A380, very few airlines sought to purchase the plane. This was reflected in the poor sales of the A380 in the latter stages of the 2010s despite sales pushes initiated by Airbus.
While Emirates’ order cancellation contributed to the end of production for the world’s largest passenger plane, the dramatically low interest from any other airline willing to commit to the superjumbo also played a role.
Emirates Requested An A380neo
Emirates’ interest in a new Airbus A380, dubbed the neo (new engine option model) has been a consistent talking point for over the last half decade.
The airline relies heavily on the A380 for its hub-and-spoke model. However, Airbus has repeatedly dismissed the idea due to limited demand beyond Emirates.
Moreover, Airbus has already completed production on the A380 and moved on, which has resulted in a greater emphasis on jets such as the A321neo. The A380 space has been taken over by more modern and smaller aircraft.
Emirates faces a fleet renewal dilemma, lacking a genuine replacement. The latest on the aircraft remains the same, despite Emirates’ push there are no signs of an A380neo.
Therefore, Emirates is being forced to pivot its strategy, invest in the existing A380 fleet, and continue pushing the case to Airbus to produce this aircraft, which would elevate itself as a business further.
Quote
0.0176sec
0.82
5 queries
GZIP Disabled