Leahy: A380 Is Here To Stay

A342 · Thu Mar 05, 2015 10:53 am

In an interview with a Germn magazine, John Leahy confirmed that the A380 programme is here to stay for the long term.

"Yes, there have been discussions regarding its future, for example with the CFO of Airbus Group, who of course has to pay attention to costs. But that's his job. Now there's an unanimous agreement on all levels of the company to stick with the A380 for the long term."

http://www.bilanz-magazin.de/vorabmeldungen/der-380-bleibt/

http://www.aerointernational.de/airl...-am-riesenjet-a380-festhalten.html

BiggerJetsPlz · Thu Mar 05, 2015 11:09 am

So that's an official (if indirect) launch statement for the A380 NEO.

TheSonntag · Thu Mar 05, 2015 11:12 am

Quoting BiggerJetsPlz (Reply 1):
So that's an official (if indirect) launch statement for the A380 NEO.

One can say so. And "Die Welt" is a big german newspaper from Hamburg so if Leahy confirmed that there "had been discussions about the A380 future, but that those are sorted now", it is a credible source.

chiad · Thu Mar 05, 2015 11:20 am

Quoting A342 (Thread starter):

In an interview with a Germn magazine, John Leahy confirmed that the A380 programme is here to stay for the long term.

Thanks for the update.
I expect the NEO to be launched on the 51st International Paris Air Show in June this year.

KarelXWB · Thu Mar 05, 2015 11:21 am

Quoting chiad (Reply 3):
I expect the NEO to be launched on the 51st International Paris Air Show in June this year.

I don't know. The Dubai Airshow in November combined with a big EK order seems more likely (IMO).

RWA380 · Thu Mar 05, 2015 11:24 am

Quoting BiggerJetsPlz (Reply 1):
So that's an official (if indirect) launch statement for the A380 NEO.

I think LH is one of the most impressive carriers anyway, but I know the 380 on a route actually can draw people just based on the aircraft, let's call it "the 380 effect" (I coined the phrase here, you're my witnesses) LOL!

I think LH is only one of a few carriers that will be able to successfully operate the 380 well into the next few decades.

I love that LH took delivery of the 748i and operates them side by side, In my book that shows there are enough real world reasons that a well run & managed International carrier should go to the expense of having both VLAs.

On a side note, the shot of the 748i in retro LH colors at PAE on the home page the other day was AWESOME looking.

EPA001 · Thu Mar 05, 2015 2:47 pm

Quoting A342 (Thread starter):
"Yes, there have been discussions regarding its future, for example with the CFO of Airbus Group, who of course has to pay attention to costs. But that's his job. Now there's an unanimous agreement on all levels of the company to stick with the A380 for the long term."

A very good and strong statement I would say. Hopefully will that wil lower the number of threads about "the A380 program being terminated soon".

.

Quoting BiggerJetsPlz (Reply 1):
So that's an official (if indirect) launch statement for the A380 NEO.

It is hard to see it any different, except if he is only targeting incremental improvements for the long term. But that is unlikely regarding the competition from the B777-X and even from in-house with the A350-1000-XWB.

Quoting KarelXWB (Reply 4):
The Dubai Airshow in November combined with a big EK order seems more likely (IMO).

That would indeed be a logical place an time to announce such a possible order.

Maybe the -900-version could also be brought to the table?

.

[Edited 2015-03-05 07:34:17]

incitatus · Thu Mar 05, 2015 3:13 pm

Quoting RWA380 (Reply 5):
In my book that shows there are enough real world reasons that a well run & managed International carrier should go to the expense of having both VLAs.

I would like to see those reasons spelled out.

Flighty · Thu Mar 05, 2015 3:57 pm

Quoting BiggerJetsPlz (Reply 1):
So that's an official (if indirect) launch statement for the A380 NEO.

Agreed. A statement from Boeing that "The 777-200 is here to stay" would have no meaning unless it meant they plan to revise it and motivate new orders.

Quoting RWA380 (Reply 5):
In my book that shows there are enough real world reasons that a well run & managed International carrier should go to the expense of having both VLAs.

I can't think of a single reason why they have a single VLA over the 77W. The Richard Anderson view, that the A380 has no economic case without state sponsorship, applies. Germany is one of the main centers of Airbus production. At the risk of sounding extreme, I am just siding with Richard on the VLA question.

But feel free to tell us how you think LH has been a global leader with that. Fine airline, no question.

speedbored · Thu Mar 05, 2015 4:35 pm

Quoting chiad (Reply 3):
I expect the NEO to be launched on the 51st International Paris Air Show in June this year.

Quoting KarelXWB (Reply 4):
I don't know. The Dubai Airshow in November combined with a big EK order seems more likely (IMO).

Well from what I've been hearing, I think the neo is as good as a done deal (assuming the commercials can be signed off with suppliers), but I have a feeling that any formal announcement might be deferred until JL has managed to squeeze a few more orders out of the ceo, to help bridge the ceo-neo production gap.

Quoting Flighty (Reply 8):
The Richard Anderson view, that the A380 has no economic case without state sponsorship, applies. Germany is one of the main centers of Airbus production.

Ah yes. That would explain why LH bought the 748i when so few other airlines did then?

Motorhussy · Thu Mar 05, 2015 4:38 pm

Quoting Flighty (Reply 8):
I can't think of a single reason why they have a single VLA over the 77W.

You're meaning LH (which doesn't fly the 77W) or airlines in general? Either way - slot restrictions, timing restrictions, passenger demand, passenger comfort, increased profit potential - all come to mind.

Quoting RWA380 (Reply 5):
"the 380 effect"

Think Airbus might challenge that...

http://www.airbus.com/aircraftfamilies/passengeraircraft/a380family/

...scroll down three paras

Stitch · Thu Mar 05, 2015 4:42 pm

As Chief Commercial Officer and Salesman, he really wouldn't say anything else, would he? *grin*

Quoting BiggerJetsPlz (Reply 1):
So that's an official (if indirect) launch statement for the A380 NEO.

If RR is willing to bankroll the engine, I expect it will go forward, but what I am interested in knowing is how the other Engine Alliance customers feel about having to be forced to switch to RR when it comes time to replace their frames or order top-up (for once the neo launches, I expect EA to pretty much end any continued development of the GP7200 and move purely to support-only).

I expect RR will sweeten the pot for Qatar, Etihad, Korean and Transaero via favorable TotalCare "Power-by-the-Hour" deals, but AF likes to do their own engine MRO, so will we see another fight over the A380neo like we saw over the A350XWB?

EPA001 · Thu Mar 05, 2015 4:50 pm

Quoting Stitch (Reply 11):
As Chief Commercial Officer and Salesman, he really wouldn't say anything else, would he?

In his position he can not afford to be too loose when making statements. Especially on the program which always grabs the headlines.

Quoting Stitch (Reply 11):
If RR is willing to bankroll the engine, I expect it will go forward,

That is my expectation as well.

.

Quoting Stitch (Reply 11):
but what I am interested in knowing is how the other Engine Alliance customers feel about having to be forced to switch to RR when it comes time to replace their frames or order top-up (for once the neo launches,

Well, I see that not too different from when Boeing introduced the B77W. If customers wanted to grow with that airliner they had to take on a new engine of GE which was different from the other GE-engines available on the B777, and of course was different from the P&W- and RR-engine offerings on the B777. They eventually coped with it. I expect them to do the same here, possibly with some deal-sweetening compensations as you have described.

Finn350 · Thu Mar 05, 2015 4:51 pm

Quoting A342 (Thread starter):
In an interview with a Germn magazine, John Leahy confirmed that the A380 programme is here to stay for the long term.

Yes, combined with recent Tim Clark comments, it seems that Airbus and EK have reached an understanding on developing A380neo.

Quoting Stitch (Reply 11):
If RR is willing to bankroll the engine, I expect it will go forward, but what I am interested in knowing is how the other Engine Alliance customers feel about having to be forced to switch to RR when it comes time to replace their frames or order top-up (for once the neo launches, I expect EA to pretty much end any continued development of the GP7200 and move purely to support-only).

As EA is not willing to develop an engine for A380neo, the airlines really don't have a choice.

lowbank · Thu Mar 05, 2015 5:25 pm

Cannot see November being an option if the 50 frames with no engine choice yet go hand in hand with the NEO announcement. Some of the materials have a12 months lead time and then manufacturing time. November would be too late to get materials on order to meet delivery timescales.

Boeing778X · Thu Mar 05, 2015 5:26 pm

Quoting A342 (Thread starter):
Leahy: A380 Is Here To Stay

Okay.

Have fun

DocLightning · Thu Mar 05, 2015 5:30 pm

Quoting Finn350 (Reply 13):
As EA is not willing to develop an engine for A380neo, the airlines really don't have a choice.

And with power-by-the-hour contracting, it's not a major issue as long as the airline can negotiate a good deal.

Plane Holland · Thu Mar 05, 2015 5:35 pm

Quoting RWA380 (Reply 5):
but I know the 380 on a route actually can draw people just based on the aircraft, let's call it "the 380 effect" (I coined the phrase here, you're my witnesses) LOL!

Aah,so that's why Ryanair is doing so poorly.

JoeCanuck · Thu Mar 05, 2015 5:51 pm

If EK is willing to buy 200 NEO's, they'll buy 200 CEO's. The fact is, no other aircraft can do the job of the current model, or any aircraft even being conceived.

I think Airbus will keep tweaking the current model, probably getting another 5 or so percent out of it, which will be more than enough to satisfy any customer...especially since there aren't any alternatives for a VLA, nor will there be for at least decades to come.

[Edited 2015-03-05 10:10:11]

DocLightning · Thu Mar 05, 2015 6:02 pm

Quoting EPA001 (Reply 12):

In his position he can not afford to be too loose when making statements. Especially on the program which always grabs the headlines.

Here's the thing: he wants to sell A380s. If he announces that they will be closing the line, then he can't sell any more airframes. Even those with production slots but no buyers will be difficult to sell because nobody wants to buy a new airplane that will lose support from the OEM in a known time (~20 years) and that will have almost zero resale value.

So if and until the program is formally closed (and I am not claiming it will be; I have no idea and neither does anyone outside of Airbus), it serves him to speak as optimistically and positively about it as he can.

Other than formal technical reports, I don't trust a lot of what OEMs say about their own market. Randy Tinseth went on record saying that the 739ER was better than the A321LR, which is absurd. OEMs will always sound rosy about any market in which they are offering a product. How much of that is due to genuine belief (without which they would not be offering the product in the first place) and deceptive self-interest is a matter of debate and only Mr. Leahy knows how much of each interest motivate him.

astuteman · Thu Mar 05, 2015 6:34 pm

Quoting Stitch (Reply 11):
what I am interested in knowing is how the other Engine Alliance customers feel about having to be forced to switch to RR when it comes time to replace their frames or order top-up (for once the neo launches

About the same as CX said when they were "forced" to take the GE90-115 on the 77W I guess, ending their 777 RR tradition.

Money talks

Rgds

PM · Thu Mar 05, 2015 6:43 pm

Quoting Stitch (Reply 11):
I am interested in knowing is how the other Engine Alliance customers feel about having to be forced to switch to RR when it comes time to replace their frames or order top-up

As others have said, the 777-300ER points the way. If the package is good enough...

Quoting Stitch (Reply 11):
AF likes to do their own engine MRO, so will we see another fight over the A380neo like we saw over the A350XWB?

No. If it's appealing to them they will buy it regardless - like they did the A350.

gkirk · Thu Mar 05, 2015 6:44 pm

Quoting TheSonntag (Reply 2):
And "Die Welt" is a big german newspaper from Hamburg

Always funny when I see that newspaper title, Welt is Scottish slang for Cock

Anyhow, other than American doubters (surprise, surprise!), was there actually any reality that the A380 was going to die an early death? Wouldnt have thought so myself

rheinwaldner · Thu Mar 05, 2015 6:58 pm

Quoting JoeCanuck (Reply 18):

I think Airbus will keep tweaking the current model, probably getting another 5 or so percent out of it, which will be more than enough to satisfy any customer...especially since there aren't any alternatives for a VLA, nor will there be for at least decades to come.

Not any NEO sale would automatically have become a CEO sale. In fact the CEO will not sell as much as a NEO would.

This should be obvious. If the overall operating cost of the A380 is lets say X, the market segment, where it would be the preferable option has a certain size. Now as operating cost get reduced by the NEO, the market segment grows in which the A380 is the prefered solution.

As demand grows on the trunk routes of an airline, there is a window in which the 779X might be their best option. If demand would be even larger the A380 comes into the picture. Now the point, at which the A380 would become the prefered aircraft of the two certainly depends on the capability and efficiency of both of them. So it absolutely makes a difference whether the NEO is offered or only the CEO...

Stitch · Thu Mar 05, 2015 7:09 pm

Quoting rheinwaldner (Reply 23):
Not any NEO sale would automatically have become a CEO sale. In fact the CEO will not sell as much as a NEO would.

This should be obvious. If the overall operating cost of the A380 is lets say X, the market segment, where it would be the preferable option has a certain size. Now as operating cost get reduced by the NEO, the market segment grows in which the A380 is the prefered solution.

As demand grows on the trunk routes of an airline, there is a window in which the 779X might be their best option. If demand would be even larger the A380 comes into the picture. Now the point, at which the A380 would become the preferred aircraft of the two certainly depends on the capability and efficiency of both of them. So it absolutely makes a difference whether the NEO is offered or only the CEO...

The A380, in any form, should become the option when it generates more profit than a smaller plane.

In general, that will be when when operational realities restrict the number of 777 flights that can be operated to a point that the airline has to deny sales to profitable passengers due to lack of capacity and enough of those "denied" passengers exist to offset the higher trip costs of the A380.

Yes, an A380neo will lower the fuel-portion of the trip costs just as the 777X will. So in general, where we have seen A380s replace 777s, we should see A380neos take over that service rather than 777Xs. But I expect the profit/cost delta between the A380neo and 777X will not be so greatly different than that between the A380 and 777 that we should see appreciably more A380neos in service than we do A380s.

A342 · Thu Mar 05, 2015 7:22 pm

Quoting Stitch (Reply 24):
But I expect the profit/cost delta between the A380neo and 777X will not be so greatly different than that between the A380 and 777 that we should see appreciably more A380neos in service than we do A380s.

For current traffic levels that's true. For a growing traffic we should see more, just as we could see more 777Xs in service than 7773ERs. (I say could for the 777X because it has reasonably close competitors, unlike the A380)

Gazdon121 · Thu Mar 05, 2015 7:33 pm

Quoting KarelXWB (Reply 4):

I agree

I think we will see more orders soon as airspace becomes crowded and airports have no space, them extra seats can make all the difference, I think this as the skys are very busy compared to 10 years ago

MD80Nut · Thu Mar 05, 2015 7:43 pm

Quoting Stitch (Reply 11):
but AF likes to do their own engine MRO, so will we see another fight over the A380neo like we saw over the A350XWB?

Good point. But AF did get over it and ordered the A350. So if they see the neo can generate more profit than a smaller plane on certain routes as you said, they will probably order it.

Cheers, Ralph

speedbored · Thu Mar 05, 2015 8:14 pm

Quoting Stitch (Reply 24):
The A380, in any form, should become the option when it generates more profit than a smaller plane.

In general, that will be when when operational realities restrict the number of 777 flights that can be operated to a point that the airline has to deny sales to profitable passengers due to lack of capacity and enough of those "denied" passengers exist to offset the higher trip costs of the A380.

Spot on. But I would add that there will be some routes where it may also be more profitable to increase the numbers of denied passengers by downsizing from 2 777s (or other smaller aircraft) to 1 A380, by reducing total trip costs and pushing up revenue per passenger (see BA and the LAX route, for example).

Quoting Gazdon121 (Reply 26):
I think we will see more orders soon as airspace becomes crowded

The point-to-point-not-hub fans often forget that there are many areas of the world where airspace is becoming saturated so the only ways to increase capacity in those areas will soon become a choice between larger aircraft or reduced aircraft separation.

JoeCanuck · Thu Mar 05, 2015 8:34 pm

Quoting rheinwaldner (Reply 23):

The 380 will always be, by a significant margin, the largest passenger plane flying. As slots become scarcer, many airlines will use higher capacity aircraft and lower frequency instead of lower capacity and higher frequency.

If the largest aircraft is the 380ceo, airlines will have no choice to purchase it if they want to move more passengers through slot restricted airports.

Besides, Airbus or EK don't seem to be talking about a larger plane, just a more efficient plane. If the choice is between the current largest plane available, (with incremental efficiency boosts), or no plane at all, I think they will choose the ceo.

I could be wrong, but I don't think we'll ever see an A380NEO or an A380-900, NEO or CEO. I also don't think we'll see production end on the A380CEO until well into the next decade, at the very earliest.

PW100 · Thu Mar 05, 2015 9:27 pm

Quoting DocLightning (Reply 19):
So if and until the program is formally closed (and I am not claiming it will be; I have no idea and neither does anyone outside of Airbus), it serves him to speak as optimistically and positively about it as he can.

Quite true. Just like the head coach of a professional sports team is confirmed to be their head coach right until the moment he's sacked!

Quoting gkirk (Reply 22):
Always funny when I see that newspaper title, Welt is Scottish slang for Cock

And in Dutch, its "lul". Give's a rather curious interpretation to the phrase "Airbus will be facing a lull in their A380 production somewhere around 2018 . . .

strfyr51 · Thu Mar 05, 2015 9:31 pm

Leahy said it's here to stay? Well then! But Exactly what ELSE would he say?? This is an earth shattering statement??
When will they offer the A380 NEO? John needs to make a REAL statement !! The Here to say statement is OBVIOUS, but then again?
So would the same be for the 787,A350,777, and 737 also the A321, A320 & A319. I don't think this is News, Do you?

Motorhussy · Thu Mar 05, 2015 9:40 pm

Quoting strfyr51 (Reply 31):
Leahy said it's here to stay? Well then! But Exactly what ELSE would he say?? This is an earth shattering statement??

Well strfyr51, given the conflicting reports that had been coming out of the European plane maker in recent times, it's important that any doubts are quelled and that they speak with a united voice in affirmation and confidence around the world's largest passenger aviation achievement.

Of course it's no surprise what JL is saying, however it was a great surprise to many the comments that went public from the CFO Harald Wilhelm's public relations own goal last year, including to Messrs Enders, Bregier and Leahy.

[Edited 2015-03-05 13:43:07]

blueflyer · Thu Mar 05, 2015 10:00 pm

Quoting BiggerJetsPlz (Reply 1):
So that's an official (if indirect) launch statement for the A380 NEO.

I'd be curious to find the context in which this statement was made.

I want to believe the A380 program is here to stay and the NEO is coming, I love flying this aircraft. At the same time, history is littered with promises from corporate executives of commitments to and/or continued investments in existing projects only to see the same projects significantly reduced if not abandoned altogether just a short amount of time later.

Until I know why John Leahy felt the need to make that statement, I will have less confidence in the A380 program's future than I had before I read this thread.

Quoting Flighty (Reply 8):
The Richard Anderson view, that the A380 has no economic case without state sponsorship, applies.

The same Richard Anderson who bemoans the subsidies terroristic Middle East carriers get while he fights for Delta to keep their own fuel tax breaks, yet demands higher taxes on everyone else to fund transportation infrastructure? I'd wonder what his agenda is if he announced the sky was blue, if I were you.

[Edited 2015-03-05 14:14:09]

Capt.Fantastic · Thu Mar 05, 2015 10:07 pm

I could not find an English version of the interview.. The OP shared one remark made by Leahy from an entire interview. I don't think any conclusions can be drawn from a single except.

lightsaber · Fri Mar 06, 2015 3:23 am

Quoting BiggerJetsPlz (Reply 1):
So that's an official (if indirect) launch statement for the A380 NEO.

One hopes. But it is from the chief salesman...

Quoting Flighty (Reply 8):
Agreed. A statement from Boeing that "The 777-200 is here to stay" would have no meaning unless it meant they plan to revise it and motivate new orders.

it would be as if Boeing said the 777 is here to stay: 779/778. Boeing has done that.

The question is will Airbus do enough to improve the business case for airlines to buy? I think so, but I'm curious as to the details.

Quoting astuteman (Reply 20):
About the same as CX said when they were "forced" to take the GE90-115 on the 77W I guess, ending their 777 RR tradition.

Money talks

EK has bought RR before (77A/77E/773/A332). They will again. EK is a numbers run airline, not an emotional airline. The only engine vendor they lack is Pratt.

Cest la vie. If the A380NEO is RR, they will negotiate with RR and that will be that.

Lightsaber

astuteman · Fri Mar 06, 2015 5:31 am

Quoting strfyr51 (Reply 31):
I don't think this is News, Do you?

GIVEN THE COMMENTS MADE BY THE CFO JUST BEFORE CHRISTMAS?????
OF COURSE IT'S NEWS !!!!!!

Quoting Capt.Fantastic (Reply 34):
I don't think any conclusions can be drawn from a single except.

On A-net? Good luck with that

Rgds

TheRedBaron · Fri Mar 06, 2015 5:48 am

Quoting lightsaber (Reply 35):
The question is will Airbus do enough to improve the business case for airlines to buy? I think so, but I'm curious as to the details.

Same here, will they go A389?, new wing?, change of dimensions (folding wing), what engine will they use?

I think I better buy some big bags of pop corn...since we already have a weekly A380 thread, this is going to get really interesting (its like 2006 again...the A380 flame wars of A net of yesteryear!)

TRB

abba · Fri Mar 06, 2015 6:54 am

Quoting Stitch (Reply 11):
As Chief Commercial Officer and Salesman, he really wouldn't say anything else, would he? *grin*

In principle you are right, of cause. However, I do think JL said something that he did not need to say as a CCO, namely that the future of the 380 has indeed been discussed within the company. If he had just stuck to the mantra "The 380 is here for the long term" and said nothing more than that it would be only CCO talk.

dare100em · Fri Mar 06, 2015 7:46 am

Quoting DocLightning (Reply 19):
Here's the thing: he wants to sell A380s. If he announces that they will be closing the line, then he can't sell any more airframes. Even those with production slots but no buyers will be difficult to sell because nobody wants to buy a new airplane that will lose support from the OEM in a known time (~20 years) and that will have almost zero resale value.

So if and until the program is formally closed (and I am not claiming it will be; I have no idea and neither does anyone outside of Airbus), it serves him to speak as optimistically and positively about it as he can.

Other than formal technical reports, I don't trust a lot of what OEMs say about their own market. Randy Tinseth went on record saying that the 739ER was better than the A321LR, which is absurd. OEMs will always sound rosy about any market in which they are offering a product. How much of that is due to genuine belief (without which they would not be offering the product in the first place) and deceptive self-interest is a matter of debate and only Mr. Leahy knows how much of each interest motivate him.

Why you are right in general this case it is a little bit more complicated. Because he is not allowed to lie in public to his stockholders (which a newspaper interview is) if he knows better. That's problematic if he declares shutting down the line in 2 years. So in this case i really think they already start work behind the Scenes.

Like somebody else mentioned with A320neo and A350 Engineering work coming to an end there is only the A330neo (and A321LR) left which isn't a big deal either. Like also stated here in Germany/France it's not that you just lay off 5.000 experienced engineers now and hire some new guys back in 5 years when you start your next program. So he needs something for the x thousand engineers he won't fire. The A380neo is the obvious answer.

What irritates me a little is that he sound like it's really only a new engine with maybe some winglets. That sound odd and IMO won't help the A380 in the long run. But maybe he plans to launch it as a two-step program. Step 1 would be a very fast A380neo with engines based on the TrentXWB an EIS before 2020 and step 2 a really -900neo with bigger changes but EIS not before 2025 (so Emirates and other can't wait for it for all deliveries).

Or he just pragmatically won't to give the program 5-10 years more life with a simple re-engining and see how things develop in that area.

[Edited 2015-03-05 23:51:48]

deutronium · Fri Mar 06, 2015 8:02 am

Airbus isn't going to call it quits on the A380 any time soon, they just need make it the plane it was meant to be i.e. A380 900 and do all the fancy NEO stuff while they're at it. It's like if boeing had had just kept making 737 100s only until they didn't sell otherwise.

PM · Fri Mar 06, 2015 9:17 am

Quoting lightsaber (Reply 35):
The only engine vendor they lack is Pratt.

It wasn't always so.

View Large View Medium
Click here for bigger photo!

A342 · Fri Mar 06, 2015 9:42 am

Quoting racercoup (Reply 36):
Just more BS from a man who often puts his foot in his mouth.

If you had truly followed the commercial aviation scene, you'd have noticed that he is one of the most open people out there. Most of his predictions came true. And of those that didn't, he was always prepared to admit it. But I disgress.

Quoting astuteman (Reply 37):
GIVEN THE COMMENTS MADE BY THE CFO JUST BEFORE CHRISTMAS?????
OF COURSE IT'S NEWS !!!!!!

Hilarious!

Quoting blueflyer (Reply 33):
I'd be curious to find the context in which this statement was made.

Quoting blueflyer (Reply 33):
Until I know why John Leahy felt the need to make that statement, I will have less confidence in the A380 program's future than I had before I read this thread.

Quoting Capt.Fantastic (Reply 34):
I could not find an English version of the interview.. The OP shared one remark made by Leahy from an entire interview. I don't think any conclusions can be drawn from a single except.

What's so unclear about his statement? And blueflyer, what makes you LESS confident about the A380 after this thread?
As has been mentioned, plenty of people thought it reasonable to draw conclusions from a single remark, namely that of the Airbus Group CFO.

travelavnut · Fri Mar 06, 2015 10:04 am

Quoting A342 (Reply 43):
If you had truly followed the commercial aviation scene, you'd have noticed that he is one of the most open people out there. Most of his predictions came true. And of those that didn't, he was always prepared to admit it. But I disgress.

And he was instrumental in getting Airbus were it is today in only a two/three decades. But hey, it is always much easier to criticize people when facts are not important

A342 · Fri Mar 06, 2015 10:10 am

Scott Hamilton chimes in:

http://leehamnews.com/2015/03/05/pon...mbardier-and-u-turn-al/#more-14573

sturmovik · Fri Mar 06, 2015 10:19 am

Quoting racercoup (Reply 36):
He's the Rex Ryan of Aviation

If you don't like the idea of a NEO, or perhaps the idea of Airbus itself, state that. Why take it out on a guy who's been doing his job pretty damn well?

Plane Holland · Fri Mar 06, 2015 10:22 am

Concorde was also here to stay. We all know how that turned out.

dare100em · Fri Mar 06, 2015 10:38 am

Quoting Plane Holland (Reply 47):

They don't had to fear lying in public back in these days because they can't get (juristic) problems with stockholders back than. It's quite different now and that's why i don't think it's other than he says. Maybe he will just re-engine it to bring the Programm another 5-10 years but they won't shut it down in the short-medium term for sure.

travelavnut · Fri Mar 06, 2015 10:45 am

Quoting Plane Holland (Reply 47):
Concorde was also here to stay. We all know how that turned out.

The definition of comparing apples and oranges. Different times, different industry, different market and completely different aircraft.

racercoup · Fri Mar 06, 2015 2:33 pm

Quoting travelavnut (Reply 49):
The definition of comparing apples and oranges. Different times, different industry, different market and completely different aircraft.

It is not apples to oranges.......

John-boy would have said the same thing about the Concorde "it's here to stay" His words are meaningless.

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