Airbus enjoys more A380 success in 2011, but some challenges too

Airbus' Very Large Aircraft (VLA) offering, the A380, has had a turbulent few months, coming back from a damaging engine blowout and gaining, and losing, some key customers in important markets, as we review in the first of a two-part series on VLA programmes.

There has been a flurry of activity in recent months surrounding the A380. The model hit the headlines in Nov-2010 when a Qantas A380 suffered a mid-air engine blowout shortly after departing Singapore Changi Airport. Naturally, the incident was widely covered by media and, with praise ultimately flowing from Qantas on the performance of the A380 in such conditions, the incident may actually have been a boon to the aircraft’s reputation. Rolls-Royce meanwhile has recently gained a contract to supply engines to Asiana’s A380 fleet, taking the tally of Trent 900 engine to power A380 purchases to 10 out of 15 airlines.

Airbus added two more A380 customers in the first two months of 2011......

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