Airbus brings the production of the A380 to a close

Emirates is reducing its A380 orders from 162 to 123 aircraft. The airline will take delivery of 14 further A380s over the next two years. As a consequence and given the lack of order backlog with other airlines, Airbus will cease deliveries of the A380  in 2021.

The A380 cost $25 billion to develop, and saw its first commercial flight in 2007 with Singapore Airlines. 

Airbus Chief Executive Officer, Tom Enders, said: “As a result of this decision we have no substantial A380 backlog and hence no basis to sustain production, despite all our sales efforts with other airlines in recent years. This leads to the end of A380 deliveries in 2021. The consequences of this decision are largely embedded in our 2018 full year results.”

He continued: “The A380 is not only an outstanding engineering and industrial achievement. Passengers all over the world love to fly on this great aircraft. Hence the announcement is painful for us and the A380 communities worldwide. But, keep in mind that A380s will still roam the skies for many years to come and Airbus will of course continue to fully support the A380 operators.”

Guillaume Faury, President of Airbus Commercial Aircraft and future Airbus CEO, commented: “The A380 is Emirates’ flagship and has contributed to the airline’s success for more than ten years. As much as we regret the airline’s position, selecting the A330neo and A350 for its future growth is a great endorsement of our very competitive wide-body aircraft family. Going forward, we are fully committed to deliver on the longstanding confidence Emirates is placing in Airbus.”