Airbus is delivering the final A380 superjumbo to Dubai’s Emirates today according to Reuters.
This delivery is marking the end of a 14-year run that gave Europe an instantly recognised symbol across the globe but failed to fulfil the commercial vision of its designers.
Today’s delivery is expected to be low key, partly because of COVID restrictions and also because Airbus is these days focusing its PR on environmental benefits of smaller jets.
Production of the world’s largest airliner – capable of seating 500 people on two decks together with perks like showers in first class – has ended after 272 were built compared with the 1,000 or more once predicted.
Emirates is by far the largest buyer and still believes in the superjumbo’s ability to lure passengers. Even though no more A380s will be built, it will keep flying them for years. Many airlines disagree and have axed the A380 during the pandemic.
The A380’s demise left deserted one of the world’s largest buildings, a 122,500-square-metre assembly plant in Toulouse.