Emirates has ordered two additional A380 aircraft amid an impasse with manufacturer Airbus over the future of its superjumbo programme.
The deal, together with the confirmation in January by Japan’s ANA of the purchase of three A380s, are the first firm orders for the plane since 2014, when Airbus first signalled the possibility of discontinuing the programme amid a drought of new orders. It is also the first new A380 order from Emirates since 2013, when it took 50 of the aircraft.
Emirates, the world’s largest operator of the A380, with 75 in service and 65 already on order, has been pushing for a more fuel-efficient model of the plane before committing to any new purchases. Fuel is the largest component of an airline’s cost and makes up 28 per cent of Emirates’ operating cost, according to its latest financial statement in November.
Airbus has been against a revamp without fresh orders from airline customers. The European plane maker told The National that it believes "there is still lots of potential for the current A380, we need a solid business case for any evolutions". "The order from Emirates is yet another endorsement of how the A380 is the ideal solution for the airline's growth," said an Airbus spokeswoman.
Emirates president Tim Clark said that growing demand from passengers for the airline’s “A380 product” had been a factor in the decision to order more.
“We’ve always been open about how the A380 has been a big success for Emirates. It’s a boon for our operations to slot constrained airports and we get a lot of positive feedback from our customers,” he said.
Mr Clark has previously said that Emirates was ready to buy a further 200 A380s if a more fuel-efficient model is introduced.
However, Saj Ahmad, chief analyst at the UK’s StrategicAero Research, said that Emirates “alone could not save the A380”.
“The order is probably more to do with Airbus’ availability in the production line given the recent A380 cancellations by Air France and Air Austral.
“So it makes sense that Emirates can get early deliveries – especially since the A380 order book is so weak,” he said.
Airbus said in February that it will remain at break-even on the A380 this year and is targeting the same for next year but that it could not forecast beyond that date as the rate of aircraft deliveries slowed.
Data released yesterday by Dubai International Airport (DXB), home to Emirates airline, showed a 6.9 per cent rise in passenger traffic in February to over 6.3 million from over 5.9 million in the same month a year ago. India remained the top destination country.
Earlier this month, Airports Council International, the trade body, revealed that DXB is the third busiest airport globally with 78 million passengers handled last year. DXB is also the world’s largest airport in terms of international passenger traffic.
selgazzar@thenational.ae
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