Aircraft
A380 ‘delivers’ on promises
After little more than 18 months’ service, the Airbus A380 very large airliner is delivering on the manufacturer’s commitments, including lowest fuel burn

After little more than 18 months’ service, the Airbus A380 very large airliner is delivering on the manufacturer’s commitments, including lowest fuel burn and operating cost and increased revenues and operators’ market share. “The A3XX [as the program was originally identified] promised a lot and the A380 delivers,” said product marketing director Richard Carcaillet.

By last month, 14 examples had been accepted by launch customers Emirates Airline, Qantas and Singapore Airlines. The three operators have generated more than 41,000 flying hours carrying 1.5 million passengers on some 4,200 revenue flights on 11 routes–including the one-stop London-Sydney route (via Dubai or Singapore) on which they compete.