Boeing 777x in competition with Airbus A380, a double-deck four-engine jet may be hard to imagine. But alas, the Airbus A380 finally has some competition, and it's with the Boeing 777x.
It seems that the Airbus A380 needs to improve its design if it wants to be up to par with the latest design from Boeing, called the 777x. According to Web Pro News, the Boeing 777x is set to be used for service within the next decade.
Though improving on Airbus might be a good idea, the company has chosen to look at the flaws of Boeing 777x instead. Airbus CEO Fabrice Bregier said, "After 2020, we will face the challenge of the Boeing 777X, and it is clear that as the challenges evolve, the A380 will have to evolve." According to Bregier, he also has a problem with the method the Boeing 777x was launched. He reiterated the tax breaks that Boeing got from Washington State. Bregier feels that the tax breaks given to Boeing are higher than the overall cost of the program. As Reuters reported, Bregier stated that the total amount of tax breaks given amount to $8.7 billion, and that amount is more than the total amount that was used to develop the plane. He also didn't forget to mention that "There are rules in this business and tax breaks are illegal."
Meanwhile, the European Commission has reportedly already voiced their concerns regarding the tax break issue with the U.S. government. Despite this, Bregier still thinks that it was "not enough" and that the industry needs to look for a level playing field for both Airbus and Boeing.
According to Reuters, the Airbus A380 has acquired contracts for 324 planes since its introduction in 2000. With Boeing 777x however, they have already acquired 300 commitments and orders since offering their planes last year in November. Most of the interested parties reportedly came from the Middle East.
Airbus A380's biggest customer is Emirates, and they have been asking for a re-engining program for the aircraft. However, Airbus has not yet confirmed or made any plans to push through with the request. Now that there's Boeing 777x, still Bregier remains positive that the A380 still has a home in the industry. He said, "If the aircraft was obsolete, Emirates would not have ordered another 50."
Airbus is reportedly thinking of upgrading their 20-year-old model, the A330. They plan to make it more attractive and fuel-efficient. However, the upgrading project still has not been confirmed.
Boeing 777x is not only Airbus A380's biggest competition, it seems that it's getting more attention than other plane models. By the time it's released in the next decade, travelers will be given a more convenient aircraft for their journeys.
See and compare Boeing 777x and Airbus A380 with the videos below.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
