[Mike W]

http://www.fleetbuzzeditorial.com/2010/05/17/

More on the "3Fatty" from FBE

Last couple of paragraphs are interesting

Airbus will see that it has little option but to continue with the program and generate what little revenue it can from the backlog, given that the majority of the customers secured and continue to secure stunning, industry leading discounts on the jet to spur sales. Cancelling it wouldn’t recover the sunk costs but in hindsight, the money could have been better spent elsewhere and if the A350XWB hits a snag due to the resource drain, then it’ll be directly attributable to the A380 and the continued cost escalation on that program.

In five years time, the A380 will be a 20 year old concept, have ageing engines and will prove even less flexible as airlines continue to snare A330’s, A350XWB’s, 777’s and 787’s.

Make no mistake - those who have flown the A380 will know that its a fantastic airplane to fly on. Spacious, quiet and sports some of the newest technology available.

“The A380 is best regarded as a $25 billion write-off and an act of industrial irresponsibility,” says Richard Aboulafia.

At worst, the A380 will far and away remain the biggest financial disaster the commercial aerospace industry has ever witnessed or ever likely to.