Thanks for posting this, Stephen. Those of you reading this blog for awhile know that I said a long time ago that Airbus was putting too much emphasis on the A380 jumbo project when all signs were pointing to higher fuel costs, a rise in the number and appeal of mid-size airports, and desire for direct flights between non-hub cities. The 787 is designed to cover all of those emerging trends, and Airbus has no answer to it forthcoming. The A380 jumbo will indeed sell for awhile, but it will not have the hoped for benefits for travellers, air terminals (which will get swamped if two of those things land and unload at the same time), or for Airbus. And, if rumors are true, Boeing is considering an updated version of the 747 made from the same composite materials as the 787. If so, the familiar 747 will become a much less expensive alternative to the A380 giant. That means bad news for Airbus may become the rule, not the exception.
1 comment:
Thanks for posting this, Stephen. Those of you reading this blog for awhile know that I said a long time ago that Airbus was putting too much emphasis on the A380 jumbo project when all signs were pointing to higher fuel costs, a rise in the number and appeal of mid-size airports, and desire for direct flights between non-hub cities. The 787 is designed to cover all of those emerging trends, and Airbus has no answer to it forthcoming. The A380 jumbo will indeed sell for awhile, but it will not have the hoped for benefits for travellers, air terminals (which will get swamped if two of those things land and unload at the same time), or for Airbus. And, if rumors are true, Boeing is considering an updated version of the 747 made from the same composite materials as the 787. If so, the familiar 747 will become a much less expensive alternative to the A380 giant. That means bad news for Airbus may become the rule, not the exception.
Way to go, Boeing.
Post a Comment