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Article in The Times recently:-
THE boss of Airbus has ended months of speculation by confirming that the plane maker will build a new version of its superjumbo, the A380.
Fabrice Brégier told The Sunday Times that the A380neo, which will have new engines, could be ready for sale in five years. “We will move to the A380neo type. You can say that. Absolutely. We will need it between 2020 and 2025,” he said.
The A380 programme has struggled to find customers; one carrier, Emirates, accounts for about half the 300 planes ordered so far. Without more sales, the production line has only enough work to last to the end of the decade.
Brégier said that as well as new engines, the new version would have better wings, which be would be made at Airbus’s plant in Broughton, north Wales. The neo will cost $3bn to develop.
The current A380 can carry up to 600 passengers — 150 more than the Boeing 747 jumbo jet.
Brégier said Airbus had not decided whether the fuselage on the new version would be extended to provide more seats, but that the company would not do a stretched version “for one airline”.
New engines will help to cut the plane’s operating costs. Brégier said Airbus was likely to select just one engine supplier, with analysts saying the choice is between Rolls-Royce and its American rival General Electric.
Brégier said that were Britain to leave the European Union, “the sky would not fall on our heads”.
THE boss of Airbus has ended months of speculation by confirming that the plane maker will build a new version of its superjumbo, the A380.
Fabrice Brégier told The Sunday Times that the A380neo, which will have new engines, could be ready for sale in five years. “We will move to the A380neo type. You can say that. Absolutely. We will need it between 2020 and 2025,” he said.
The A380 programme has struggled to find customers; one carrier, Emirates, accounts for about half the 300 planes ordered so far. Without more sales, the production line has only enough work to last to the end of the decade.
Brégier said that as well as new engines, the new version would have better wings, which be would be made at Airbus’s plant in Broughton, north Wales. The neo will cost $3bn to develop.
The current A380 can carry up to 600 passengers — 150 more than the Boeing 747 jumbo jet.
Brégier said Airbus had not decided whether the fuselage on the new version would be extended to provide more seats, but that the company would not do a stretched version “for one airline”.
New engines will help to cut the plane’s operating costs. Brégier said Airbus was likely to select just one engine supplier, with analysts saying the choice is between Rolls-Royce and its American rival General Electric.
Brégier said that were Britain to leave the European Union, “the sky would not fall on our heads”.
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