Airbus (AIB, Toulouse Blagnac) has announced it will end the production of A380-800s in 2021 as the programme's last remaining customer, Emirates (EK, Dubai Int'l), has reduced its order by thirty-nine units.
The Emirati carrier reduced its order for A380s from 162 to 123 units and will take the delivery of the remaining fourteen aircraft over the next two years.
"As a result of this decision we have no substantial A380 backlog and hence no basis to sustain production, despite all our sales efforts with other airlines in recent years. This leads to the end of A380 deliveries in 2021," said Airbus CEO Tom Enders.
Besides the fourteen outstanding units for Emirates, Airbus is also nearing the delivery of three A380s for ANA - All Nippon Airways. The manufacturer's order book also includes twenty units for Amedeo, although it is not certain if the lessor will take the aircraft.
Simultaneously with the cut in its A380 order, Emirates signed a commitment for forty A330-900s and thirty A350-900s. Currently, the carrier does not operate any other Airbus type other than the A380 and has no outstanding orders with the manufacturer for A330s or A350s.
Airbus said it will shortly start talks with 3,000-3,500 staff members whose positions are related to the A380 programme.
"The ongoing A320 ramp-up and the new widebody order from Emirates Airline will offer a significant number of internal mobility opportunities," the European manufacturer said in a statement.
The termination of the A380 programme will effectively mean the end of passenger quadjet production as Boeing has no outstanding orders for its B747-8.