Emirates: Still trusting the A380.

Emirates, the Middle East’s largest airline, said that they still are strongly confident in the A380 despite ongoing concerns about relability after last week’s Qantas triple grounding. Emirates said that they are in talks with Airbus for future deliveries of the aircraft and will be giving Airbus feedback on the A380. Both Emirates and Airbus have a “good relationship,” and the two will be working closely to troubleshoot the technical issues with the A380.

A forthcoming report from German magazine Der Spiegel said Emirates took a 46-page set of slides to Airbus; the publication called it a “crisis meeting” between Airbus and Emirates. Many questions relating to the article were the subject of question in the meeting.

“Technical issues are expected with new aircraft,” said Emirates, “particularly one that uses many new technologies.” Ring a bell? Sounds similar to what the Qantas spokesmen said: “This aircraft has had a better entry than the 747 program and it’s gone on to become a fantastic workhorse. You do have teething problems with new aircraft.”

Comparisons between the A380 and the 747 will not go away. The Super-Jumbos of both Airbus and Boeing have been dueling since the A3XX was announced years ago. However, have people forgotten that we live in a different era? The 747 made its debut in 1969, and the  A380 made its debut in 2005 (based on first flight). Between then, technology took off and computers are used to design planes and perfect them. It’s simply wrong to compare the 747 and the A380 during development and early years.

Sanjeev Mehta commented on the Qantas Grounds the A380 post with:

And for the brave words comparing the EIS of the 747 with the A380…they really can’t be compared since (a) The 747 was a quantum leap in size, technology, engines and was the first wide bodied aircraft to enter commercial service (b) It did not have the kind of technology which is available today (c) It did not have the benefit of past experience with widebodies or huge engines and (d) it probably did not go thru such a rigorous testing regimen which today’s aircraft have to go thru pre-certification.

Do not be mistaken, the A380 is a very efficient aircraft. It carries over 500 and uses less fuel than what the market prior would’ve used to haul 500+ people. It’s great for popular long haul routes – meaning it’s perfect for the carriers that currently use it. Let’s just hope that Airbus gets these issues fixed promptly.

Quotes and information obtained from AP.