Airbus A380 is no threat to Boeing - claim

Airline Industry Information, April 27, 2005

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2005 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

The Airbus A380, said to be the world's biggest aircraft, will require heavy investment but is likely to only get a small market, according to Boeing's vice president R. Wade Cornelius.

Cornelius dismissed the potential threat from the aircraft produced by Boeing's rival and said that the company is very happy to see Airbus develop an aircraft for that market, The Associated Press reported.

While Airbus has chosen to build the A380, developed for about 550 passengers but able to carry up to about 800, Boeing has developed the 787 Dreamliner, which is able to carry some 300 passengers. Airbus reportedly has 154 firm orders from 15 airlines for the A380, including orders from Air France, Lufthansa and Virgin, while Boeing's total for the 787, including recent agreements with Air Canada and Air India, has got a total of 237.

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