Airbus will not make money on the A380. It is unfortunate but the economics just aren't there for it. The 380 is really a hub-spoke aircraft in a fast developing point-to-point world. Add to that the huge cost overages and the economic problems and the 380 is going to be a huge draw on their books.
Further, the current operators are discovering that the 380 is a turd for belly fr8. The 380 doesn't provide enough lift in the belly because it has to house the bags of 500+ passengers. Now Airbus is saying that the -900 will have better lift for fr8 and the economics will be improved because of that fact. So again, Airbus has to spend further to make the 380 provide the right economics for the operators.
If you look at the Emirates 380's they are running about 60% capacity and they still are down on the belly space available for boxes. Not good.
I am not an Airbus basher. I make my living driving one and I really like the 340-600 for a large airliner. But the 380 is a turd and it is FUGLY to boot.
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