Keep those A380 model planes in pristine condition guys (or start buying some), because they may be worth a whole lot of money if the aircraft manufacturer is forced to discontinue the product.
Airbus admitted publicly this week that it may have to cease production of the iconic jumbo jet if it fails to win an new aircraft order from one of its biggest A380 buyers, Emirates.
Wow, no pressure.
The manufacturer’s Sales Chief, John Leahy, is quoted in the Sydney Morning Herald as saying that Airbus needs a “strong base” that only a major player like Emirates can provide in order to continue to building the plane.
“I believe we can find a solution with Emirates in hopefully the not too distant future.”
John Leahy, Airbus Sales Chief
In order for Airbus to continue production and turn around a profit, it would require the Dubai-based airline to order at least six A380s per year for the next decade, plus receive two or three more orders from other carriers.
Concern for the aircraft’s future was also questioned back in 2014, only a few years after the Boeing Dreamliner 787 launched and airline flight requirements shifted away from passenger capacity to increased flight time.
The shift is being driven by a number of carriers, including Qantas, which has challenged manufacturers to build aircraft capable of flying beyond 18 hours between cities such as Sydney and London.
However, Airbus argues that the A380 is needed to cater for flights to high passenger traffic gateways such as Heathrow and Dubai.
READ: Could the A350 get Qantas’ guests from Sydney to London
READ: Singapore Airlines treats Sydney to a super spacious A380 First Class