Airbus will stop production of the A380, the world’s largest passenger plane, in 2021 after its largest customer Emirates dramatically cut its order, spelling an eventual end to one of the industry’s most ambitious programmes.
The European aerospace group on Thursday said Emirates will slash its planned fleet size of A380s by 39 aircraft, from 162 to 123. The Dubai-based airline will take delivery of 14 further A380s over the next two years. Emirates said separately it would purchase 70 smaller A330neo and A350 wide-bodied jets.
“Today’s announcement is painful for us and the A380 communities worldwide,” said Tom Enders, Airbus chief executive, in a statement.