The airplane maker Airbus has announced plans to cease production its A380 aircraft. The iconic A380 is the world's largest passenger airplane and has been service 12 years. When it was launched, it was heralded as the future aviation. However, changes the demands of passengers mean the days giant, four-engine passenger planes are over. Airbus decided to call a halt to production the 544-seat A380 due to weaker than expected sales. The nail the coffin was when the Dubai-based Emirates Airline cut its A380 order 39 planes. Airbus said it would stop building the A380 in 2021. This will result in significant job losses companies linked to the plane's manufacture.
The A380 embarked its inaugural flight in April 2005 to great fanfare. Then British Prime Minister Tony Blair called the giant jet a "symbol of economic strength". His Spanish counterpart called the plane "the realization a dream". The plane was designed to combat congestion airports reducing the number planes needed the skies. However, booming air travel has generated a higher demand twin-engine planes that can fly non-stop to where people want to travel. Giant, four-engine jets usually require passengers to transit hub airports. An Emirates spokesperson said the A380 was a "passenger magnet" that was misunderstood and badly marketed other airlines.
