Dubai wants guarantee on A380 output before placing new order
DUBAI: Dubai wants a guarantee that Airbus will keep production of the A380 superjumbo open for at least 10 years before stateowned Emirates places a new order for the world’s largest jetliner, the airline’s president said on Monday.
Speaking to Reuters at the Dubai Airshow, Tim Clark also said the largest Middle East carrier would probably stick with the Boeing 787 for its midsized f leet needs after ordering 40 of the jets on Sunday and could order more of them in future. Airbus declined comment. Airbus’ hopes of a new order from leading customer Emirates for the slow- selling A380 were thwarted on Sunday when the airline unveiled a surprise order for 40 Boeing 787-10 jets worth US$ 15.1 billion ( 11.51 billion pounds) at list prices, but no European contract.
Delegates said negotiations continued overnight and that Airbus may be willing to meet Dubai’s conditions in order to secure a much-needed order for its f lagship product.
“We continue to have a dialogue with them,” Clark told Reuters. “If that comes to some kind of fruition during the course of the week or the next few months is very much down to them.”
With 100 A380s already in the f leet but doubts hanging over the aircraft’s future, Clark made plain the concerns about Airbus’ future commitment to the programme were felt at the shareholder level. Emirates is owned by the Dubai government. — Reuters