Reading about the A380 debacle and now the rumor that the freighter will be delayed, leaves a obvious question, "What will FedEx and UPS do if this airplane is further delayed?". The short answer is nothing, as an earlier poster noted, UPS needs the bulk lift to reduce the number of flights for a given amount of increased lift. On the other hand, the 747-8 is out there and older 747-400's could be had if desired. While UPS has an order for future 747's, FedEx doesn't and its relationship with Boeing is, non existent. So if FedEx determines it needs lift (when) A380's fail to arrive, it has two choices, more MD-11 or 747's. Where could it acquire late model 747's and future orders if it determines the Airbus is too behind to meet the companies needs??
Well back to an old favorite discussion on this BB, Atlas Air. Atlas has the airplanes, has the future orders for 747-8's, could probably be bought without putting too much strain of the FedEx bottom line; I think its very possible, if Airbus can't deliver within before 2010. Just MHO, what do you think??