Airbus in near term will launch a reengined and improved version of its A380 super jumbo airliner to revive its lackluster demand and dri...
Airbus is planning a re-engined A380neo (new engine option) and a potential A380-900 stretched variant, with backing from the largest A380 operator Emirates Airline.
The shift in strategy, with most carriers now prefering smaller twin-jet models that are more fuel efficient and can access more airports, resulted in the demand slump for large passenger jets, which also affected the Boeing 747-8.
Airbus is actively in talks with engine maker Rolls Royce for a suitable higher thrust engine for re-engining, based on the exclusive Trent XWB engine developed for A350 XWB. Current A380 engine choices are Rolls Royce Trend 900 and Pratt & Whitney- GE Engine Alliance GP7200 engine. Despite a 50+ percent market share, Engine Alliance is reluctant for the new engine citing uncertain business.
The upgrade would take about four years and cost $2.5 billion.Even though the $25 billion program will break even by 2017, the thin orderbook from 2018 forced the European manufacturer to make the giant 580 tonne airplane more efficient and attractive to customers.
Of the 318 orders so far placed by 19 customers for A380, representing 90 percent of the Very Large Aircraft market, Airbus has delivered 150, with production currently running at 30 per year.
In 2014, the program won no new orders and key customers like Air France and Lufthansa reduced their commitments while the first Japanese customer Skymark cancelled its orders for six A380s.
As a part of its Incremental Innovation strategy, Airbus is now offering a higher-density cabins – with 11-abreast seating in economy class, as an example, while still retaining Airbus’ 18-inch seat width comfort standard for long-range flights.
“The priority today is finding other customers for the A380’s current version; we believe we can and we will do this – because the A380 is the most efficient, today and tomorrow,” said Airbus President and CEO Fabrice Brégier in a annual press conference.
“In the longer term, I believe we will move to evolutions of the A380: one might well be an A380neo concept – meaning some upgrades of the aircraft, together with a re-engining; which would make sense,” Brégier concluded. “As the A380 is a young platform, we will continue improving this aircraft in the coming 20 years. There probably even could be a stretched version – depending on the market demand, and looking at what we can do technically and financially.”
Airbus is increasingly confident with the program following the success of single aisle A320neo and the widebody A330neo program.
The A320neo have booked 3,621 orders through December 2014 which features two engine choices- CFM LEAP and P&W PW1100 GTF engine and first delivery is slated for later this year. The A330neo launched in July 2014 has bagged 120 firm orders and is powered by a new exclusive Rolls Royce Trent 7000 engine.
So far Emirates is the only airline backing the the re-engined A380. The largest operator has placed firm orders for 140 A380s of which 57 has been delivered. In 2014, Emirates received 13 Airbus A380s, including its 50th A380. Emirates is expecting to add 15 A380s in 2015.
