N14AZ From Germany, joined Feb 2007, 2313 posts, RR: 25 Posted (5 years 3 weeks 6 days 14 hours ago) and read 2356 times:
It’s surely a bit early to ask this question considering that only 4 1/2 have been delivered so far. But most probably Airbus and ILFC have already some ideas how to use the first A380’s which will leave the fleet of their first operators (especially those converted prototypes MSN 004, 007 and 009, which will be delivered to EK).
DL767captain From United States of America, joined Mar 2007, 2539 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (5 years 3 weeks 6 days 13 hours ago) and read 2300 times:
would be pretty cool seeing them fly into SXM, i'm thinking a few will be turned into a new beluga for Airbus to carry even more parts than the current, something like the dream lifter.
Ramzi From Canada, joined Oct 2006, 535 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (5 years 3 weeks 6 days 11 hours ago) and read 2021 times:
Quoting DL767captain (Reply 1): would be pretty cool seeing them fly into SXM,
Could they land on the runway? Wow, imagine an A380 passing right over you head... the 747 itself is blinding!
I think all of your option are possible and even likely. EK would probably convert theirs into freighters as they phase out, SQ would probably sell them off to other airlines, or to Airbus to reconfigure them as freighters and re-sell them. Airbus will definitely make belugas out of a few. Lots of the Gulf A380 will end up being VIP planes I'd say...
A big amount will certainly be used to charters, and I'm positive a bunch will end up with Saudi for Hajj charters. At some point, they'll be stored in the desert, but i think they'd undergo at least one of the other option before that. For example, take an EK A380, it'll work with EK for say 18 years, then they'll lease it to a new Gulf LCC who will operate it for 5 years pending delivery of planes of its own, then the LCC will return it and EK will either convert it to a freighter for EK SkyCargo or sell it to another airline. Since EK alone will have 58 to take care of, its possible some of them will end up in the desert, though I doubt there'll be space left in the Dubai desert.
A while back FlySSC posted a topic about Air France and the 747s, describing its history and how the planes will leave the fleet. It will probably be similar with EK since they are the largest operator of the A380. Some will be sold, some converted to freighters then sold, some stored, some scrapped. Also they will leave rather slowly whle being replaced by whatever new aircraft EK has massive orders for then, so a market will be found for the first few batches, but the last ones will probably end up in the desert or as Amiri flights, aside form those that will become freighters then get sold or stored.
All in all, we're gonna see another massive A380 market in around 20 years, and we're gonna see many new colours on the A380, as well as many new freighting airlines. Also, by then, the 747s will most likely be non-existent, and any cargo airline operating them now will have them replaced by A380s. Also, not much can be predicted. This all depends on where the aviation industry will reach, what new aircraft will be available, how efficient the A380s will be compared to the rising models. Never the less, though, the A380 will definitely fly for a long time, and for numerous different owners from freight airlines to John Travoltas and Kingdom
There will come a time when you believe everything is finished - that will be the beginning.
Astuteman From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2005, 9136 posts, RR: 96 Reply 5, posted (5 years 3 weeks 6 days 10 hours ago) and read 1974 times:
Quoting Ramzi (Reply 4): Quoting DL767captain (Reply 1):
would be pretty cool seeing them fly into SXM,
Could they land on the runway?
If a 747 can, then the A380 almost certainly can...
Quoting Ramzi (Reply 4): All in all, we're gonna see another massive A380 market in around 20 years, and we're gonna see many new colours on the A380, as well as many new freighting airlines. Also, by then, the 747s will most likely be non-existent, and any cargo airline operating them now will have them replaced by A380s.
This I don't see.
748F's should be flying for AT LEAST as long as A380's.
And the A380's freight market would/will almost certainly be somewhat more limited than the 748F
Ramzi From Canada, joined Oct 2006, 535 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (5 years 3 weeks 6 days 9 hours ago) and read 1858 times:
Quoting Astuteman (Reply 5): This I don't see.
748F's should be flying for AT LEAST as long as A380's.
And the A380's freight market would/will almost certainly be somewhat more limited than the 748F
Sorry, i should have clarified... I was referring to the 744s basically, and the subtypes before them, not the 748... You're right about the 748.
When an A380 and a 748 fly to SXM I will most certainly visit St. Maarten.
There will come a time when you believe everything is finished - that will be the beginning.
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