Airbus to axe A380 superjumbo as largest buyer reduces order
Europe’s Airbus says it will scrap production of the A380 superjumbo, abandoning its dream of dominating the skies with a cruiseliner.
It comes after years of lacklustre sales.
The world’s largest airliner, with two decks of spacious cabins and room for 544 people in a standard layout, was designed to challenge Boeing’s legendary 747.
But it failed to take hold as airlines backed a new generation of smaller, more nimble jets.
Emirates – the largest A380 customer – decided to reduce its orders for the iconic superjumbo and order a total of 70 of the smaller models.
In a statement, Airbus said the last A380 would be delivered in 2021.
Former Emirate A380 pilot James Nixon weighs in on the news.
Click PLAY below to hear the full interview