The descent of the ailing giant

2005 – The young flies flight of the giant baby

The bird On its maiden flight it took off in Toulouse and landed there again. The A380 is still the largest passenger plane there is. The standard version should be able to transport 555 passengers; in the meantime, there is even a Version that offers up to 853 people. Airbus announced in 2005, to about 40 years, of 150 billion euros with the A380 deserve.

2007 – Severe birth

The maiden flight in Toulouse, not meant yet that the Airlines with the big space plane earn from this point on, money. Until it was so far, it took two and a half years. 15. In October 2007, bought Singapore Airlines ' first Airbus, on 25. October he flew for the first Time with paying passengers on Board, from Singapore to Sydney.

The aircraft manufacturer Airbus wanted to sell the first machine is actually already in the first quarter of 2006, but the wiring on the A380, did not work properly, so it had to be adjusted for more than a year.

2012 cracks in the wings

In January 2012, hairline cracks were discovered in the Interior of the wings of several Airbus aircraft. At the time, already been 68 aircraft to be delivered. According to Airbus no risk to the safety of the passengers, however, the European aircraft manufacturer had to sort that out in the affected machines. In addition, the European air navigation service, announced in may, to control the wings more often.

2014 – The little brother is more popular

The self-built competitor stands: the A350. 14. June 2014, the prototype completed its maiden flight. Also in Toulouse. The promise: a smaller plane, but is also quieter and less fuel consumed. At the time of the maiden flight, so prior to the actual presentation, were ordered more than 600 machines of the type A350. About twice as many as in the time of the A380 and had its maiden flight, nine previously.

2014 – the A380 hinted

The little brother has pushed the major back to 2014, there may be some doubt, whether you need the giant bird, the A380. Chief financial officer Harald Wilhelm (photo) spoke of a possible, if the A380 is expecting. Aircraft-Chef Fabrice Brégier revised the. The building capacity of the A380 was busy, because there are enough orders for the aircraft type would be available, he said in front of investors.

Harald Wilhelm at a press conference in Bavaria. (2015) picture: Tobias Hase/dpa via Keystone

2016 – Ordered is not purchased

the orders were not Backed up, but the Airbus should keep alive for so long. The Australian airline Qantas was considering, for example, the orders of eight aircraft to withdraw. Lufthansa, Air France, Etihad and British Airways, saw the future of the giant plane is critical.

2019 – the Largest customer of the witnesses relies on small models

The airline Emirates from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates shows less interest in the A380 flight. Emirates has 108 plane of this type in the fleet and is the largest A380 customer. In January 2018, Emirates has ordered 20 new flyer of the type and ensured that the production of the A380 will be around until 2030 capacity. But it was also clear that Airbus Emirates is fully delivered. To buy after Emirates announced instead of 162, only 123 of the A380. there are, according to Airbus, there is no basis for a continuation of the production.

Shortly before that, Qantas cancelled already ordered eight aircraft of the type A380. On paper, there are now orders for 26 Airbus A380, realistically, only three, namely, the Japanese All Nippon Airways.

2019 – The sperm whale of the skies is dying

for 40 years, Airbus wanted to make the A380 money. Voices from the industry say that you have used the A380 never really. The story of the A380 is a single descent. Now the aircraft manufacturer has announced the. The last delivery is scheduled for 2021.

(editing Tamedia)

Created: 14.02.2019, 07:21 PM