}}

 

 

Due to difficulties with the [[electrical wiring]], the initial production was delayed by two years and the [[New product development|development]] costs almost doubled.<!--ref name=Libé120507/--> It was first delivered to [[Singapore Airlines]] on 15 October 2007 and entered service on 25 October.<!--ref name="1st SIA flight"--> Production peaked at 30 per year in 2012 and 2014.<!--ref name=Airbus_O_D/--> Airbus ended production of the A380 in 2021. The A380's estimated $25&nbsp;billion development cost was not recouped by the time Airbus ended production.<!--ref name=Bloomberg27apr2015-->

 

==Development==

===Background===

<div class="floatright">

<timeline>

 

PlotData=

In mid-1988, Airbus engineers, led by Jean Roeder, began work in secret on the development of an ultra-high-capacity airliner (UHCA), both to complete its own range of products and to break the dominance that [[Boeing]] had enjoyed in this market segment since the early 1970s with its [[Boeing 747|747]].<ref name="norris_wagner_book"/>{{rp|7}} [[McDonnell Douglas]] unsuccessfully offered its double-deck [[McDonnell Douglas MD-12|MD-12]] concept for sale.<ref name="MDC_brochure">{{cite web|url=http://md-eleven.net/MD11-MD12-undeveloped-models|title=MDC brochures for undeveloped versions of the MD-11 and MD-12|publisher=md-eleven.net|access-date=30 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080511211119/http://md-eleven.net/MD11-MD12-undeveloped-models|archive-date=11 May 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/mdc/96-221.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111106191654/http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/mdc/96-221.html|archive-date=6 November 2011|title=McDonnell Douglas Unveils New MD-XX Trijet Design|publisher=McDonnell Douglas|date=4 September 1996|access-date=30 December 2011}}</ref> Lockheed was exploring the possibility for a Very Large Subsonic Transport.<ref>{{cite journal |url= https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19960023624.pdf |title= the future of very large subsonic transports |journal= NASA Transportation Beyond 2000 |author= Lockheed Martin |date= 1 February 1996}}</ref> Roeder was given approval for further evaluations of the UHCA after a formal presentation to the President and CEO in June 1990.

 

 

In June 1994, Airbus announced its plan to develop its own very large airliner, designated as A3XX.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Bowen|first=David|title=Airbus will reveal plan for super-jumbo: Aircraft would seat at least 600 people and cost dollars 8bn to develop|work=The Independent|location=UK|date=4 June 1994|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/airbus-will-reveal-plan-for-superjumbo-aircraft-would-seat-at-least-600-people-and-cost-dollars-8bn-to-develop-1420367.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100928050035/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/airbus-will-reveal-plan-for-superjumbo-aircraft-would-seat-at-least-600-people-and-cost-dollars-8bn-to-develop-1420367.html |archive-date=2010-09-28 |url-access=limited |url-status=live|access-date=30 December 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|first=Bill|last=Sweetman|title=Airbus hits the road with A3XX|publisher=Interavia Business & Technology|date=1 October 1994|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-16444324.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106060040/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-16444324.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 November 2012|access-date=30 December 2011}}</ref> Airbus considered several designs, including an unusual side-by-side combination of two fuselages from its [[Airbus A340|A340]], the largest Airbus jet at the time.<ref name="norris_wagner_book">{{Cite book |last= Norris |first= Guy |author2= Mark Wagner|title= Airbus A380: Superjumbo of the 21st Century |publisher= Zenith Press |year=2005 |isbn=978-0-7603-2218-5 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=KcaYjPhRnWUC}}</ref>{{rp|19}} The A3XX was pitted against the VLCT study and Boeing's own [[Boeing NLA|New Large Aircraft]] successor to the 747.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Aviation giants have Super-jumbo task|work=Orlando Sentinel|date=27 November 1994|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/orlandosentinel/access/77995305.html?dids=77995305:77995305&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Nov+27%2C+1994&author=Karen+West+Seattle+Post-Intelligencer&pub=Orlando+Sentinel&desc=AVIATION+GIANTS+HAVE+SUPER-JUMBO+TASK+ENORMOUS+COMMERCIAL+JET+JUST+PAPER+AIRPLANE+FOR+NOW&pqatl=google|access-date=30 December 2011|archive-date=3 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103155803/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/orlandosentinel/access/77995305.html?dids=77995305:77995305&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Nov+27,+1994&author=Karen+West+Seattle+Post-Intelligencer&pub=Orlando+Sentinel&desc=AVIATION+GIANTS+HAVE+SUPER-JUMBO+TASK+ENORMOUS+COMMERCIAL+JET+JUST+PAPER+AIRPLANE+FOR+NOW&pqatl=google|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Boeing looks again at plans for NLA|work=Flight International|first=Guy|last=Norris|date=10 September 1997 |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/1997/09/10/20640/boeing-looks-again-at-plans-for-nla.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110601074352/http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/1997/09/10/20640/boeing-looks-again-at-plans-for-nla.html |archive-date=1 June 2011 |access-date=6 March 2012}}</ref> In July 1995, the joint study with Boeing was abandoned, as Boeing's interest had declined due to analysis that such a product was unlikely to cover the projected $15&nbsp;billion development cost. Despite the fact that only two airlines had expressed public interest in purchasing such a plane, Airbus was already pursuing its own large-plane project. Analysts suggested that Boeing would instead pursue stretching its 747 design, and that air travel was already moving away from the [[Spoke-hub distribution paradigm|hub-and-spoke]] system that consolidated traffic into large planes, and toward more non-stop routes that could be served by smaller planes.<ref name=Reuters10jul1995>{{Cite news|title=Boeing, partners expected to scrap Super-Jet study|via=Los Angeles Times|date=10 July 1995|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-07-10-fi-22333-story.html|agency=Reuters}}</ref>

In November 2017, its chief executive [[Tom Enders]] was confident Airbus would still produce A380s in 2027 with more sales to come, and further develop it to keep it competitive beyond 2030.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/we-will-still-produce-a380s-in-10-years-airbus-ch-442865/ |title= 'We will still produce A380s in 10 years': Airbus chief |date= 3 November 2017 |author= Michael Gubisch |work= Flightglobal}}</ref> Airbus was profitable at a rate of 15 per year and is trying to drive [[breakeven]] down further but will take losses at eight per year.<ref name=AvWeek14nov2017/>

 

 

To extend the programme, Airbus offered China a production role in early 2018.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-01-08/airbus-is-said-to-offer-china-work-on-a380-to-attract-new-orders |title= Airbus Offers China Production Role on A380 to Attract New Order |author= Ania Nussbaum and Benjamin D Katz |date= 8 January 2018 |agency= Bloomberg}}</ref> While state-owned Chinese airlines could order A380s, it would not help their low yield, as it lowers frequency; they do not need more volume as [[widebody aircraft]] are already used on domestic routes and using the A380 on its intended long-haul missions would free only a few [[airport slot]]s.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://centreforaviation.com/insights/analysis/a380s-in-the-china-the-worlds-largest-market-is-there-a-place-for-the-worlds-largest-aircraft-392569 |date= 11 January 2018 |title= A380s in the China, the world's largest market. Is there a place for the world's largest aircraft? |work= CAPA – Centre for Aviation}}</ref>

 

On 3 June 2016, Emirates President [[Tim Clark (airline executive)|Tim Clark]] stated that talks between Emirates and Airbus on the A380neo have "lapsed".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aviationweek.com/commercial-aviation/emirates-airbus-talks-a380neo-lapsed|title=Emirates, Airbus Talks on A380neo 'Lapsed'|website=Aviation Week & Space Technology|access-date=4 June 2016}}</ref> On 12 June 2017, Fabrice Brégier confirmed that Airbus would not launch an A380neo, stating "...there is no business case to do that, this is absolutely clear." However, Brégier stated it would not stop Airbus from looking at what could be done to improve the performance of the aircraft. One such proposal is a {{convert|32|ft|m|abbr=on}} wingspan extension to reduce drag and increase fuel efficiency by 4%,<ref name="winglets-bigger-wing-span">{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/news/airbus-a380-winglets-bigger-wing-span/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/news/airbus-a380-winglets-bigger-wing-span/ |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=The world's largest passenger plane may be about to get bigger|work=The Telegraph|access-date=8 November 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref> though further increase is likely to be seen on the aircraft with new [[Wingtip device#Blended winglets|Sharklets]] like on the A380plus.<ref name="winglets-bigger-wing-span" />

 

In June 2023, despite A380 production having ceased, Clark renewed his plea for a re-engined A380neo, suggesting that a next-generation [[Rolls-Royce UltraFan]] could give a 25% reduction in fuel burn and emissions.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Perry |first1=Dominic |title=Clark reiterates plea for A380neo |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/airlines/clark-reiterates-plea-for-a380neo/153733.article |work=Flight Global |date=16 June 2023}}</ref>

 

At its 100th delivery ceremony, Emirates CEO [[Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum]] was hoping to order new A380s at the November 2017 [[Dubai Air Show]].<ref>{{cite news |url= https://leehamnews.com/2017/11/03/emirates-likely-order-new-a380s-dubai-air-show/ |title= Emirates likely to order new A380s at Dubai Air Show |author= Bjorn Fehrm |date= 3 November 2017 |work= Leeham}}</ref> Emirates does not need the small front staircase and eleven-abreast economy of the A380plus concept, but wants Airbus to commit to continue production for at least 10 years.<ref name=AvWeek14nov2017>{{cite news |url= http://aviationweek.com/commercial-aviation/emirates-dismisses-a380plus-concept-negotiations-continue |title= Emirates Dismisses A380plus Concept As Negotiations Continue |date= 14 November 2017 |author= Jens Flottau |work= Aviation Week}}</ref>

 

 

On 14 February 2019, Emirates decided to cancel its order for 39 planes, opting to replace them with [[Airbus A350 XWB|A350s]] and [[Airbus A330neo|A330neos]].<ref name=Airbus14feb2019/><!--ref name=Emirates14feb2019--> Airbus stated that this cancellation would bring the A380's production to an end when the last unfilled orders are delivered in 2021.<ref name=Airbus14feb2019>{{cite press release |url= https://www.airbus.com/newsroom/press-releases/en/2019/02/airbus-and-emirates-reach-agreement-on-a380-fleet--sign-new-widebody-orders.html |date= 14 February 2019 |title= Commercial Aircraft Airbus and Emirates reach agreement on A380 fleet, sign new widebody orders |publisher= Airbus}}</ref><ref name=Emirates14feb2019>{{cite press release |url= https://www.emirates.com/media-centre/emirates-signs-deal-for-40-a330-900s-30-a350-900s |title= Emirates signs deal for 40 A330-900s, 30 A350-900s |date= 14 February 2019 |publisher= Emirates}}</ref>

 

==Aircraft on display==

* Donated by Airbus at the same time as A380 MSN4, the second test A380 (MSN2), was donated to the [[Aeroscopia]] museum at [[Toulouse-Blagnac Airport]], [[Toulouse]], along with the first [[Airbus A320]] and an [[Airbus A340]], that had also previously been used by the company for test flights.<ref>{{cite web |title=Transfer of A380 MSN4 to the Le Bourget aerospace museum |url=https://www.airbus.com/newsroom/press-releases/en/2017/02/transfer-of-a380-msn4-to-the-le-bourget-aerospace-museum.html |website=[[Airbus]] |access-date=15 February 2019}}</ref>