Airbus to break up unwanted A380 superjumbo jets

Airbus

By Wole Oyebade (with agency report)

Aircraft manufacturer, Airbus, has revealed plans to break up the A380 superjumbo jets after failed bids to attract buyers. The development, a fresh blow to Airbus business, is coming just a decade after two of the industry’s largest jets debuted.

A German investment company confirmed it would strip two unwanted superjumbo passenger planes for parts after failing to find an airline willing to keep them flying following a decision by Singapore Airlines not to retain them in service.
The decision by Dortmund-based Dr Peters Group will be a setback to Airbus efforts to maintain market interest in the double-decker, barely 10 years after it went into service hailed by heads of state as a symbol of Eurpean ambition.
Despite strong reviews for its quiet and spacious cabin, demand for the 544-seater has fallen as many airlines drop the industry’s largest four-engined aircraft in favour of smaller twin-engined ones that are more efficient, and easier to fill.
A UK-based aerospace analyst, Howard Wheeldon, said: “Psychologically it is not good for Airbus, but this is a very large aircraft with a very small second-hand market. It’s too big. There was a battle for airline fashions and it lost out.”
However, Airbus says the iconic jet will eventually prove itself as travel demand saturates airport capacity at major cities.
An Airbus spokesman said: “We can’t comment on the decision by Dr Peters, which is the owner of the aircraft. We remain confident in the secondary market for the A380 and the potential to extend the operator base.”
Singapore Airlines launched A380 services amid fanfare in December 2007, but returned the first two aircraft to their German financiers when leases expired some 10 years later.