Super-jumbo A380, B747 face early demise over carriers’ liquidity crises

• Lufthansa begins conversion of A380 for cargo operations

Emirates President, Sir Tim Clark believes that it is ‘over’ for the industry’s two largest aircraft, the A380 and B747 in the wake of the coronavirus disaster.

Four-engine wide-bodies have become less popular with airlines in recent years because of their comparatively high running and fuel costs and a number of carriers had already begun to shed their super-jumbos even before the Covid-19 pandemic destroyed travel demand.

But with airlines facing an unprecedented liquidity crisis and stripping back capacity, some have decided to retire their A380 and 747 aircraft early.

“We know the A380 is over, the 747 is over but the A350 and the B787 will always have a place,” said Sir Tim.

Despite Emirates’ ability to operate super-jumbos profitably before the pandemic, Sir Tim has previously spoken of the “demise” of the A380 and it is no secret that the airline has begun the process of restructuring its fleet in favour of more fuel efficient aircraft like the A350, B787 and B777X.

But with 115 A380s in its fleet and eight more due to be delivered, the aircraft still forms the backbone of Emirates’ operations and will continue to do so in the near-term until it starts receiving its A350s and 787s in 2023.

Referring to newer wide-bodies like the A350 and B787, Sir Tim said: “They may not be ordered soon, they may have orders deferred and pushed back, but eventually they will come back, and they will be a better fit probably for global demand in the years post the pandemic.

“Do I see demand for these bigger aircraft slowing? Yes, I do. The numbers I would suggest will be lower in the next three to five years and I think Boeing and Airbus recognise that and are already slowing their production now.

“You can’t fly from Dubai to San Francisco in a B737 non-stop but you can on a B787 and you can on an A350 and very comfortably.”

Prior to Covid-19, airlines were generally planning on keeping the 15-year-old A380 in their fleets. Qantas launched an ambitious overhaul programme to upgrade its superjumbo fleet and Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury told Aviation Business that the A380 would continue to serve places like London, where there are very few take-off and landing slots available.

One potential role for the plane to serve – albeit temporarily – is as a freighter. Lufthansa Technik has begun the first conversion of an A380 for cargo operations for an undisclosed airline.

Wole Shadare