British Airways chief executive Rod Eddington says that the UK flag carrier is still interested in the Airbus A380, contrary to earlier signals that it considered the ultra large airliner to be too big.
Eddington, speaking in London, said that BA had identified routes where the aircraft would work effectively: "that is the [London-Australia] 'Kangeroo' route on which our partner Qantas will be operating the A380 with us under a full joint venture."
Speaking at an aircraft finance conference earlier this year, BA's general manager for fleet planning Dick Wyatt was far less enthusiastic about the 550-seater, saying: "We are not ordering the A380. There are very few routes that suit large aircraft and we believe markets will continue to fragment." Wyatt also cast doubt on the A380's second hand market prospects, and its ability to achieve good levels of utilisation.
In contrast to BA's earlier position, Eddington says: "It is not that we are not interested in the A380, it's just not a priority at the moment." BA's most pressing need, says Eddington, is to adjust the mix of its long haul fleet of Boeing 747-400s and 777s.
Source: Flight International
