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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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