Emirates CEO Tim Clark is still disappointed that the production of the A380 has ended. Although he acknowledges that the chance is small, he hopes that Airbus will one day develop a new version of the A380, which is much more efficient due to the use of lightweight materials (composite) and more modern engines. According to the CEO, that would be the perfect answer to the rapidly growing demand for airline tickets worldwide, he said in an interview with CNN.

Global aviation is growing at an annual rate of 4.5 percent. There has been a dip in this due to the corona crisis, but Clark expects that growth to continue in the coming years. In Asia in particular, more and more people are getting the financial opportunities to fly for the first time and explore the world. And that while at many airports the maximum number of flight movements has almost or completely been reached.

Depending on the configuration, the A380 can carry about 30 to 50 percent more passengers than the current top models from Boeing and Airbus: the 777-9 and A350-1000. According to Clark, who previously indicated that he finds these aircraft too small, the A380 is the ideal aircraft to meet the growing demand for air travel in the long term without needing many more flight movements. However, there should be a new generation of A380s, with the latest technology.

"Is it possible to design a new A380? Yes. Is it possible to make the aircraft lighter? Yes. When they brought this aircraft to market, the use of composite in aircraft was not yet widespread," says Clark. Imagine a composite wing and a predominantly composite fuselage. Imagine engines that give you a 20 to 25 percent improvement [greater fuel economy] over what you get today. Then you get a lighter aircraft, much more economical, that meets all the requirements of the environmental activists.

"The main reason that production of the A380 was ended was that few airlines were interested in the aircraft except Emirates. Most find the A380 too large, and prefer the flexibility of smaller aircraft that are easier to fill and can fly at a higher frequency". Clark acknowledges that it is doubtful whether airlines will already be lining up for a new generation of A380s, but he says he will continue to lobby Airbus for it.

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* Origin: AVIATION ECHO HQ (2:292/854)