Maiden flight of Super Jumbo

[Dr Mordrid]

Detroit, DTW, is not on any of the early A380 compatability lists.

Airbus seems to be depending on airports modding to adapt to the A380 during upgrade programs intended to handle regular business upticks.

What they're not aking into account is that airports like Detroit have done at least 2 update cycles in recent years and what with the air traffic downturn post 9/11 most of these were terminal improvements and not modding of runways to handle larger aircraft. Modding for it just may not be in the plan or fit into current budget constraints.

Another problem isn't anything to do with the aircraft or runways: it's the security system stupid. IF Airbus's assessment that there will be huge increases in traffic due to the A380's economics then this will stress already marginal terminal gate, security, luggage, fuel and cargo systems.

It's taking sometimes hours to screen and load everyone and their luggage on a plane with a capacity of <300 as it is, can you imagine screening 500-800 persons per gate?

As for how it's doing, the A380 order book (at the Airbus list price of $280 million per aircraft) currently consists of:

Emirates: 43
Lufthansa: 15
Qantas: 12
Singapore Airlines: 10
Air France: 10
FedEx: 10
Malaysia Airlines: 6
Virgin Atlantic: 6
Thai Airways: 6
Korean Air: 5
Etihad Airways: 4
Qatar Airways: 2

See something missing?

Excepting FedEx, whose freighter variant will be ready for market in 2008, no North American carriers have submitted orders or options.

This shouldn't be a suprise given that the 7 largest U.S. carriers recently posted a combined net loss of $1.3 billion for the third quarter of 2004.

What they and Canadian carriers have been ordering is the Boeing Dreamliner, which is geared more towards lower capacity continental flights. This of course is the bread and butter for US and Canadian carriers.

Dr. Mordrid

[VJ]

Another problem isn't anything to do with the aircraft or runways

Yes, there is more than one problem.
Security (as you said, don't forget customs also), but there are other issues: emergency vehicles (in the event of disaster + hospital accomodations), passenger accomodations (i.e. housing 500-800 people if the plane is delayed severely), jetramps and stairs, ...

I just considered the technical issues in receiving a plane as such (not the added logistics problems).

Some logistics problems are easily solved (stairs, vehicles), but others are much more fundamental.



Jörg

[cjolley]

...
What they and Canadian carriers have been ordering is the Boeing Dreamliner, which is geared more towards lower capacity continental flights.

Dr. Mordrid

Actually the 787 has the same range as the A380.
This gives it a route flexability that airlines will value highly.

I believe they are already over 250 orders for the 787.

[GT98]

Actually the 787 has the same range as the A380.
This gives it a route flexability that airlines will value highly.

I believe they are already over 250 orders for the 787.

Well isnt compairing the 787 to the A380 like comparing a 767 to 747? They are in different markets and the Airbus counterpart to the 787 isnt due till 2010. Plus you have a bunch of "cheap" used 747 that you can get instead of the A380

[cjolley]

Well isnt compairing the 787 to the A380 like comparing a 767 to 747? They are in different markets...

Well that's sort of the point.
Boeing thinks that a new market for long range, medium size craft will replace, at least partialy, the market for large hub craft like the A380 and 747.

Of course they can fall back on the the fact that the 787 looks to be a very good craft for the existing market for medium range, medium size craft too.

Are they correct about this?
How would I know?
They know a lot more about aircraft markets than I do.
Or just about anyone.