Airbus has indicated it could take as long as five years before it sells its first A380 in Latin America, as the region looks set to remain a narrowbody-dominated market during the next two decades.
Despite displaying the A380 at the show, Rafael Alonso, Airbus executive vice-president for Latin America and the Caribbean, plays down any chance of a sale in the region in the near term. He says it may be able to sell the A380 in "the next five years".
Airbus has more than 250 firm orders for the A380 from 19 customers, but has so far failed to attract a Latin American airline.
Despite recent reports that LATAM could be keen on the A380, Alonso declines to specify potential customers.
Ultra-large aircraft such as the A380 are not expected to form a substantial part of the expected fleet growth in Latin America during the next 20 years.
According to Airbus's market outlook, from 2011 to 2030 very large aircraft are expected to account for only 2% of the total fleet growth in the region.
Source: Flight International
