Originally Posted by PimTac
Originally Posted by fdcg27
Originally Posted by PimTac
The A380s were already headed for the desert long before the crisis. That just accelerated the move.
Every type has the desert as its ultimate destination.
There were carriers that could make the A380 work well for them and there were others that took delivery that couldn't.
Imagine one of these bad boys with seats for about 80% of the aircraft's evacuation limit flown on medium range leisure routes, like EU to the Caribbean or MCO. Really low CASM and the operator wouldn't need to fly a lot of hours to make what would be a cheap frame pay.
What about the airports?
Well, if they could handle a B747 they can handle an A380.
Anyway, there are lots of serviceable smaller twin aisle twins hitting the resale market ATM along with some almost new frames from now bankrupt carriers that lessors are anxious to place even with only very low lease rates.
A little cash income on an owned asset beats none.
My point was that there may be an opportunity here that hasn't been there for decades and will likely not come again for decades more.
Lots of serviceable big boys and crews just looking for a home.
A number of airlines bought the A380 as a ego flagship so to speak. They are also the first to get rid of them. Thai and Malaysia are two examples.
As for airports, a lot of airports can handle 747s but not 380s. A side effect of this are the airports that recently spent huge amounts of money to upgrade in order to handle the whales and now they won't be showing up.
Also, I have read that they are not suitable for repurposing to freighter status. That's a real shame if true. The 747 can do that.
Yes, airports had to invest huge amount of money to accommodate A380. And you are right, as cargo, A380 is really not attractive. There is a lot of ego issues with that plane, from why it was built to ownership.
Originally Posted by fdcg27
Originally Posted by PimTac
The A380s were already headed for the desert long before the crisis. That just accelerated the move.
Every type has the desert as its ultimate destination.
There were carriers that could make the A380 work well for them and there were others that took delivery that couldn't.
Imagine one of these bad boys with seats for about 80% of the aircraft's evacuation limit flown on medium range leisure routes, like EU to the Caribbean or MCO. Really low CASM and the operator wouldn't need to fly a lot of hours to make what would be a cheap frame pay.
What about the airports?
Well, if they could handle a B747 they can handle an A380.
Anyway, there are lots of serviceable smaller twin aisle twins hitting the resale market ATM along with some almost new frames from now bankrupt carriers that lessors are anxious to place even with only very low lease rates.
A little cash income on an owned asset beats none.
My point was that there may be an opportunity here that hasn't been there for decades and will likely not come again for decades more.
Lots of serviceable big boys and crews just looking for a home.
A number of airlines bought the A380 as a ego flagship so to speak. They are also the first to get rid of them. Thai and Malaysia are two examples.
As for airports, a lot of airports can handle 747s but not 380s. A side effect of this are the airports that recently spent huge amounts of money to upgrade in order to handle the whales and now they won't be showing up.
Also, I have read that they are not suitable for repurposing to freighter status. That's a real shame if true. The 747 can do that.
Yes, airports had to invest huge amount of money to accommodate A380. And you are right, as cargo, A380 is really not attractive. There is a lot of ego issues with that plane, from why it was built to ownership.