Emirates Airline Boss Sees Lack of Clarity at Airbus Over A380 Plans

Airbus Group SE’s decision not to commit to upgrading the A380 superjumbo was criticized by Emirates Airline President Tim Clark on Thursday, in a sign that the biggest buyer of long-range planes is growing frustrated with the European plane maker.

Emirates Airline, the world’s largest by international traffic, has been pushing Airbus to build an upgrade of the A380 with new engines. Airbus, however, has held off on developing the plane and said it was prioritizing improvements to the existing version.

The European plane maker’s near-term focus is on deciding whether to build a bigger version of its A350 long-range jet, Airbus chief operating officer for customers John Leahy said this year.

Airbus has said it still sees potential to eventually build the update to the superjumbo. but the shift in its product focus to the A350 is causing consternation at Emirates Airline. “There seems to be a lack of clarity there,” Mr. Clark said, pointing also to a decision by Airbus to effectively stop offering the smallest version of the A350.

Mr. Clark said he remained optimistic Airbus would eventually offer the A380neo, which would feature new engines. The airline had come close to negotiating a deal for the plane, though not on pricing, he told reporters.

Airbus also had toyed with adding seats to the double-decker plane as part of the A380neo. That wasn’t something of particular interest for the Dubai-based carrier, Mr. Clark said.

If the A380neo comes later than hoped, Emirates Airline will keep its existing superjumbos flying longer. The airline is about to take delivery of the 75th A380 of 140 already ordered.

Emirates Airline, the biggest buyer of A380s and Boeing Co. 777s, is also considering purchasing more long-range planes. Mr. Clark said the carrier was getting closer to choosing between Boeing 787-9 and 787-10 Dreamliners and Airbus’s A350-900 for its next fleet decision.

Source: The wall street journal