Further Delay to the A380

""I too am an airbus-fan. The A346 had plenty of teething problems but it wasn't so newsworthy."

Originally posted by fozzyo
The BBC article makes an interesting point, with all the compensation and penalty clause payments that may need to be made these planes could (eventually) represent excellent value for money.

Out of interest does anyone know the early history of the 747? Was that delivered on time?

Yes that is very true- I dont think VS will be canceling any orders- after all SRB loves a bit of publicity and the publicity that will be gained by flying the 380 coupled with the Virgin PR machine will mean its too good to turn down!

I can see EK having a bit of a wobble though- even this morning there are talks about them going for the new re modeled 747!

Its not surprising there are delays- after all what airbus is doing- has never been done before- and something that alot of people thought couldnt be done.

I saw an interesting article this week in Travel Trade Gazette that had some rather interesting points in it re:VS.

In short it states that VS would 'abandon its commitment to flying only aircraft with 4 engines under its new green aviation policy'. Also a senior official within VS admitted - 'Is there a barrier to us running 2 engine aircraft? Definitely not.' The official also said that some of the 744's would need replacing in 2-3 years and that it would consider the 787.

Are we possibly seeing the start of goodbye to '4 engines 4 long haul'?

I think you'll find that many if not all the decals have been removed!!

[preiffer]

If anyone missed it, VS HAVE made some statements about the A380 recently.

[fozzyo]

Something that I can't really see being very useful to the project is the resignation of senior management every few months. How many have gone now over this project? The latest had only been there for three months!

You've got to believe that Airbus have used up all of their nine lives when it comes to avoiding order cancellations up to this point. Considering the amount of "intertia" that must be involved in prepping for a new aircraft type, my feeling is that any further delays will see Virgin curtailing at least part of their order...

Darryl

The lack of VS publicity when the A380 visited LHR would tell me that VS have made their decision already. With the down-sizing of many routes from B744 to A346, the A380 doesn't really fit the bill now. VS have very luckily got a really easy, PR friendly way of getting out of the deal!!!!

Although a trip on the A380 is something I'll enjoy trying at some point (preferably in something other than Y!) I always thought that Boeing's "point to point" strategy was the way to go.

Considering the ever-increasing hassles associated with being in an airport, people just want to get from A to B; the 'hub' (A to B, walk a bit, wait, B to C) model for the A380 looks increasingly outdated in this regard.

Good point on the muted approach about the A380 from Virgin - I guess SRB's Green initiative would be somewhat undermined if it had been followed by a stream of "look at the size of this beast!" press releases about their shiny, not-that-green-really, aircraft!

Darryl

Originally posted by randalf

Good point on the muted approach about the A380 from Virgin - I guess SRB's Green initiative would be somewhat undermined if it had been followed by a stream of "look at the size of this beast!" press releases about their shiny, not-that-green-really, aircraft!

Darryl

Well, it is not as simple as size = more polution. You can look at it two ways. The A380 will lower the carbon count per passenger, but others would argue that it will also increase passenger traffic.

[fozzyo]

Was there any news on Airbus's response - the week Virgin gave them has passed.

Are you acutally bother if you fly on the A388 or the B748 if they have the same service ? Personally I perfer 748 since I am a huge Boeing fan ....

Kind Regards,
Steven

It has been reported that the first batch of A380 sold to Singapore Airlines could be as cheap as 160m US$ each. Now the list price for A380 is 280-300m, with all the compesation that VA (and every other airline) asked Airbus to pay for, I can't see why VA cancel this great deal, it's too good to miss.

In fact, if VA can negociate the similar low price for the 6 options that VA hold, it will become a great PR story for Airbus (exercise 6 options to firm orders at this difficult stage is exactly what Airbus needed), I guess that's what Singapore Airlines did in Farnborough (converted 9 options to firm orders).

This will also help VA to keep very low running costs in a long term compare to other airlines, just hope SRB will pass these profits onto passengers, and having more special sales.

Originally posted by randalf

I always thought that Boeing's "point to point" strategy was the way to go.

Considering the ever-increasing hassles associated with being in an airport, people just want to get from A to B; the 'hub' (A to B, walk a bit, wait, B to C) model for the A380 looks increasingly outdated in this regard.

I can see "Point to Point" working internally in the US or Europe, but I still can't see it half way around the world. There just can't be the volume of traffic to justify a regular flight from for example regional airport in UK to regional airport in china. But with @Ten flights a day between my regional airport in China to Hong Kong, guess which way I would go (where it not for the fact it is significantly cheaper to fly LHR-PVG and take the train to my regional airport).

Hub to Hub is always going to be a massive market.

This just in, and might warrant its own post...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6089198.stm

Confirmation on what people thought might happen or a suprise?

Darryl

Well I am surprised, so VS announce a delay by 4 years, which in any case was when they may well have received them given all the delays. So actually its no news.

What I am surprised about is no other announcement, because that puts a huge hole in the growth plans (600 people or twice each day flying and paying ave. several hundred pounds is a lot of revenue) ... so what's next? More 346s or the long remoured 332s or even BMI?

Meanwhile, BA are preparing a RFP for their next large bodied long haul purchase between Boeing and Airbus ... guess we'll anticipate where they'll go. Airbus is a little in the mire at the moment apart from 320s.

Thanks - updated "Current Aircraft" (future orders) FAQ & Aircraft Database for G-VXXL to reflect new delivery year...

Cheers

Michael

This quote ~ "Virgin (Blue) is looking mainly at the Airbus A340-600 or Boeing's 777-300 and is talking to manufacturers, lease companies and sister airline Virgin Atlantic about availability." from Virgin Blue, muddies the issue.

If they are delaying planes, and extending leases, and now they are also "helping" their sister airline with A340's - wonder how the load figures are.

Seems like there is a bit of spare capacity -which must be a worry.

David [?]

[fozzyo]

Ok, wow - so not four years from now, but four years from the delivery date of 2013. That really does paint a different picture - another 7 years without the A380, they must have some thoughts on what they are doing. Going to be interesting to see what does happen and how quickly Boeing are knocking on the door.

[fozzyo]

From Metro today:

"Virgin said the deal would allow Airbus to 'prioritise production and deliveries for its launch customers such as Singapore Airlines'".

So how much influence did SQ have on the decision by VS?

I don't understand what's happening with the 747's, they are due for replacement in 2-3 years but they have extended lease on them? In my oppinon they need replacing now, compared to the Airbus aircraft they arn't the best to work on.

Well considering that VROC,VWOW,VROS,VROY,WROM,VLIP,VGAL All manufactured in 2001-2003 They arent going anywhere yet (except to get rid of nova PLEASE!! v:port!!!).

VXLG,VTOP & VAST All 97/98 birds. I can see them staying for a while longer to.

VFAB, VHOT & VBIG all early 1990 These are proberly the ones due for replacement in 2-3 years. If they are then there is a possiblity of VROC/VWOW migrating to LGW in the near future?

[fozzyo]

Apprently the lease on some of the 747's has been extended, don't know which ones.

I don't see why the early 1990s a/c should go; FAB is pretty much the VS flagship. They work fine and that's all they need and they've had enough interior refits to keep them looking up to date.[:?]

VS.

Same thoughts here. She is beauty.