Boeing has opened a new front in the marketing war with Airbus over the A380, accusing the European manufacturer of confusing performance claims. It says its rival has been steadily increasing the airliner's operating empty weight (OEW) and could miss its latest target of 281,000kg (619,000lb) by around 4,500kg.
Until now, Boeing's main case against the A380 has been its different view of the long-term market for ultra-large airliners. But vice-president of marketing Randy Baseler says the US manufacturer has been forced to refocus on the A380's economics because Airbus has been rubbishing the 747. "We are bringing it up now because Airbus walks around saying the 747 is dead. They are so aggressive about saying the A380 is going to replace all 747s," he says.
Speaking in London last week, Baseler said Airbus had claimed in 2000 that the A380's OEW would be 608,000lb. By 2002 this had shifted to 613,000lb and to 619,000lb last year. "In doing so, Airbus has acknowledged a weight problem. At this point in the A380 design process, a maximum take-off weight increase by Airbus would be clear evidence that this airplane design is on an uncontrolled weight growth track," says Boeing. It predicts the A380 OEW will be "closer to 630,000lb".
Richard Carcaillet, director of product marketing A380, firmly refutes Baseler's claims. "Boeing has had a long monopoly period with the 747, but frankly it's over. [Boeing] is so plain wrong that the airlines who have purchased the A380 will be having a good chuckle," he says. He says the 619,000lb is a "typical" OEW based on discussions with airlines. But the "spec" OEW is 596,000lb. "Weight at delivery will be very, very close indeed to the spec. Our launch customers are quite comfortable with that."
MURDO MORRISON / LONDON
Source: Flight International
