Qantas orders more A380s

Well most airlines are saying that the A380 is meeting promised expectation although clark and EK have said in the recent past ( as recent as last week) that the A380 is 5.5 tons over-weight !

Experience shows, What Airbus says and what they deliver are often two different things.

But i have a feeling that Qantas along with other airlines must know something that isnt public knowledge yet. perhaps the performance promises have been met or exceeded with the long range trials taking place??

Well most airlines are saying that the A380 is meeting promised expectation although clark and EK have said in the recent past ( as recent as last week) that the A380 is 5.5 tons over-weight !

There’s also something to be said for having flexibility in your fleet to meet seasonal demands/shifts. That’s one criteria that AF have done very well, with such a large fleet type they can change up their aircraft where and when it’s needed.

Plus, if both Boeing and Airbus are begging you for your business, take advantage of both companies.

Geoff Dixon, the CEO of Qantas is no mug, he is a buisness man of the “old school”. So he probably got a killer deal on the new orders $$$$ wise, plus he secures delivery slots,and Airbus gets some good news to announce to the stock market for a change!

But i have a feeling that Qantas along with other airlines must know something that isnt public knowledge yet. perhaps the performance promises have been met or exceeded with the long range trials taking place??

Favouratism no longer plays a part these days, IMO

Bingo! Every Airline will buy the aircraft that can generate most ammount of money for them . If qantas believes that they can fill 550 PAX at a profitable index , year round then why should they choose an aircraft that is ” UNDERCAPACITY ” to their projected demand . The bottom line is that for airlines like EK , singapore , qantas etc the A380 will serve as a profit maker and therefore they want it even after its delays . Qantas probably got a very favourable price aswell as a part of this deal which translates to less cost and more profit in the long run . Singapore , Qantas and LH were always considered to be front runners to firm up the options and this is happeneing . I expect more SQ options to be firmed up by 2007 end aswell , the problem for the mamoth will be generating more new demand specially in the Freighter market where the 747-8 has had humoungous success in the last 12 months or so ( 50+ orders and options including 45 firm orders) .

Airbus seems to be the favoured supplier of airframes these days to the once staunch loyal Boeing customer that is Qantas

I don’t think so.
Since when has Boeing offered a head to head A380 competitor that QF could also evaluate?
(Note the 748 is not a head to head competitor, but a smaller alternative)

Ordering more A380s does not make clear cut case of favoratism, especially in this case when it is likely nothing more than a compensation deal and PR stunt.
Besides, how do you account for the pretty sizeable 787 order from QF, instead of A350s or more A330s?
If anything, the orders for the 787s show us that QF are open minded and will order whats suits them best and the right price.

Favouratism no longer plays a part these days, IMO.

Airbus seems to be the favoured supplier of airframes these days to the once staunch loyal Boeing customer that is Qantas

You get the feeling that despite the delays Emirates/Qantas/Singapore etc all believe it is a good airplane and are all staying onboard and even adding orders where the case may be.

Not trying to be a basher but that is not the only interpretation that can be made out . Qantas , Singapore always were virtual gimme’s for A repeat orders and nothing came out of the unexpected .

I think the a380 will be alright from here on out.

I dont think it is reasonably safe to say this at this time . Look at the biggest customer . Emirates sent its own Evaluaters to assess the situation and wether they think Airbus would be able to deliver according to the new schedule or not. Emirates has come out and said in the past few days that the aircraft is heavy by around 5.5 tons (2% and near abouts) aswell as that they wont be surprised if there is another delay or slip up in delivery schedules . Virgin has also defered its order to deliveries in 2013 ( if any at all) . These are still hard times for the A380 program and will remain so till perhaps the end of this decade . Remember that According to Airbus’s own Statements they would be making a Slight loss ( or no profit) on the first 150 of the A380’s produced ( Break even up from 270 to 420) . The IRR has also been downgraded from 19% on 750 airframes sold to 13% on 750 airframes sold which is not that great if you look at what Airbus promised ( 20% and nearabouts) to investors .

You get the feeling that despite the delays Emirates/Qantas/Singapore etc all believe it is a good airplane and are all staying onboard and even adding orders where the case may be. I think the a380 will be alright from here on out.

Look at the VLA market in the last 2 years !! There was the 747-400 , A388 and the launched 747-8I and all in all there were only 11 Airliners ordered ( out of which 3 were Buisness jets) . Look at the 777-3ER’s ordered in the same timeframe ( and the 787-9) and you’ll see the market fragmenting in front of your eyes . Will get worst for both the 747-8 and A388 when the A350-1000 comes online !!

A great leap in faith for beleaguered Airbus from the flying kangaroo

You can bet your bottom dollar Qantas isn’t paying all that much for these.
Notice how after every notification of a delay on the A380 project, someone “orders” or “signs” for more?

Although positive in everyway, it’s not as much a leap of faith, as a compensation deal for an airline and good PR for Airbus

A great leap in faith for beleaguered Airbus from the flying kangaroo

Good news for Qantas and Airbus . For airlines like Qantas,Emirates,Singapore etc the A388 will be a cash machine !!

In some ways this would appear not such a surprise as it seems, best time to order a new/additional type is when no one else is.
Cast your minds back to the late 80’s, at that time orders for A320’s were slow, so Air Canada jumped in and ordered some, result being they got their slots and made a good deal no doubt.
A380 is a great aircraft, true there are problems, however the problems will be solved and when they do the wise will have taken up the spare slots.
Question from me is when will Airways put an order in?

Paul

Finally some good news for the A380 project!