Emirates considers more Airbus aircraft if manufacturer upgrades engine

“What we’ve said as Emirates is if you’re going to do the Neo, we’re in for 100,” said Emirates president Tim Clark. “Put it on the table, we’ll start off for you.” 

Analyst Saj Ahmad said: “Emirates has long since vied for Airbus to commit to a re-engined A380, but with fuel prices on the slide and the A380 programme costs nowhere near breakeven, it is a difficult proposition for Airbus. 

“On the one hand, Airbus' biggest A380 customer is asking for a product that may not suit other A380 operators, and on the other, Airbus is face with a shrinking A380 backlog and virtually no new demand for the type in any substantial numbers that would warrant investing another $5bn or more to update the current airplane". 

Engines for the A380 will cost in excess of $1.5bn-$2bn to develop. That cost is shouldered by engine makers. "if engine makers cannot see a business case to recoup those costs, then no engine maker will risk their capital on a project that sits in a loss position.” 

Rolls-Royce is widely predicted to be the likely provider of a neo-variant's powerplant.

Emirates' president Sir Tim Clark, said that flights out of London were operating at more than 90% load factor as increasingly passengers opt to fly the superjumbo. He has regularly suggested the A380 is a long-term solution to Europe's slot-restricted airports.