Originally Posted by
WeAreFlyingHigh
Like I said, mark my words. Heathrow capacity is approaching its maximum limit (I think it's 98% capacity at the moment), Airbus is looking to cut costs of producing the A380 in hope of recouping more of its investment, and Emirates is pushing for a more fuel efficient NEO A380. The A380 will pick up with later more fuel-efficient models much like the 747 did.
With BA looking to decrease capacity on certain routes and increase capacity on others, it is more cost effective to send a re-engined A380 instead of 2 777's, or an A380 instead higher frequency. Within a decade a re-engined A380 will be flying in BA colours. Let's come back to this post in 2024. Expect conversion of options when the re-engined option is announced. Aviation in the US and Europe has taken different routes. Europe focuses on fewer but flights on larger aircraft where the US tends to gravitate towards more flights on smaller aircraft.
I bet internal and external accounts/financial advisors are already working for/with BA to examine how best to incorporate the new A380 using provisional figures for the yet-to-be-officially-announced, but well-planned NEO model.
Well I am afraid I have heard from a number of BA staff at different levels that the options will not be taken up so I am afraid if you don't have a better source I won't be marking your words at all. Also I am not sure what miracles you are expecting from a re-engined option (talk is of a 5% fuel efficiency), they still need to fill the seats and as noted there is a very big jump from a 747 to an A380. A 90% full 777X is more profitable than a 70% full A380. Also bear in mind the re-engining is only being suggested at the moment, and there is no certainty of it going ahead at all. It will only go ahead if airlines commit.
Yes, it is possible that BA may wish to combine a number of daily flights to a destination to one A380, but that doesn't generally seem to be the direction BA are going in. A few BA routes do suit very high capacity A380, but most routes will suit 777X and A350 level capacity.