Re-Jigged A380Plus Seeks Attention

Airbus has to drive home the point that the A380plus will give good returns to airlines that are flying to congested airports using limited landing slots and delay-prone air corridors

- R. Chandrakanth

NO DOUBT, THE AIRBUS A380 is the world’s largest airliner. According to its size, it has its share of problems and the A380 programme has not been what the giant European aerospace company had ordered. As of September 2017, the A380 orders stood at a measly 317 with total deliveries of 216 for a programme of huge proportions. Hence, Airbus has gone for a re-jig, so to say. At the Paris International Airshow 2017 at Le Bourget, Airbus showcased a development study of the ‘A380plus’ which is expected to bring about substantial changes in terms of comfort levels, new large winglets to provide up to four per cent fuel burn savings and 13 per cent cost reduction per seat versus the current A380. And Airbus is promising an optimised A380 maintenance programme. It is a wait-and-watch for airline operators to see how the re-jig fits into their scheme of things.

At Paris, John Leahy, the Chief Operating Officer Customers, Airbus explained “The A380plus is an efficient way to offer even better economics and improved operational performance at the same time. It is a new step for our iconic aircraft to best serve worldwide fast-growing traffic and the evolving needs of the A380 customers. The A380 is well-proven as the solution to increasing congestion at large airports and in offering a unique, passenger preferred experience.”

NEW WINGLETS. The new winglets measure approximately 4,7 metres in height (an uplet of 3.5m, and a downlet of 1,2m). It is designed to improve aerodynamics and reduce drag. The optimised cabin layout based on the ‘cabin enablers’ presented at Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX), allows up to 80 additional seats with no compromise on comfort, redesigned stairs, a combined crew-rest compartment, sidewall stowage removal, a new nine-abreast seat configuration in premium economy and 11-abreast in economy.