According to reports from the Reuters News Agency UPS, the major global freight operator, is having a rethink over its plans to take on 10 Airbus A380 freighters with secured positions for a further 10. The airline currently operates over 40 Airbus A300, around 70 Boeing 757s, 32 767s and 13 747s, all in cargo mode. "This is an open-ended evaluation that rules out nothing," UPS spokesman Norman Black said. "There is no deadline for the team, made up of people from UPS's international operations, to report its conclusions," he added.
With other airlines around the world express similar views, the air of doubt regarding the A380 is likely to remain at least until the first aircraft goes into service, which will probably be around this time next year with Singapore Airlines. This uncertainty is expected to continue well into 2008, with a number of carriers receiving their first aircraft. Passenger reaction has always been a notable factor regarding the aircraft's acceptance, and the doubts caused by both production problems and management issues at Airbus will be another factor in whether there is a commercial future for the aircraft.
In the meantime Airbus owner EADS is putting on a brave face and talking at the highest government levels regarding the prospects for its various plants, spread out all over Europe. In the UK the Broughton and Bristol divisions will make out a strong case for their involvement in future projects, probably pointing out that whilst their involvement has been a success this has not been the same at other less efficient plants overseas, that should now bear the brunt of redundancies.