Originally Posted by
DYKWIA
There are still around 50 A380s to be delivered. OK, some of these will replace older frames, but it's still maybe 40 new aircraft.
Where will these be deployed? The A380 is already used on some routes where it is too big, and actually gets downsized during quieter months. Maybe consolidate 3 flights using B777 to 2 flights using A380 like at BHX?
Can the growth continue? It already seems to have flattened somewhat, so I'm struggling to see where all these new planes will be deployed.
That said, I'm hoping for an A350 order... having flown the QR model, it's a very nice and quiet plane.
The issue, as eternaltransit has pointed out a few times, is that the A380 has a lesser cargo capacity than the 77W. I think it's something like 8t vs 22t. This is why for example JNB for the longest time remained at 4x 77W despite A380 capability at the airport and ostensibly sufficient load for an A380 in terms of pax. It's not as simple as looking at how full the pax cabin is.
Interestingly they fly the A380 to Nice now, which is a tricky airport to approach and depart as it is, and I'd imagine not a super heavy route for the typical EK pax (as I'd imagine most Nice visitors come from Europe or the US, with the rest probably from China and far east which is where EK has a market).