Airbus marketing A380 as greener, more profitable plane

MANILA, Philippines - European aircraft maker Airbus S.A.S. is marketing its flagship aircraft, the A380, to Asia-Pacific airline companies as a greener, less expensive and more profitable plane to fly. Airbus claims the $320-million A380 costs 20% less to operate than its closest competitor, the $250-million Boeing 777 — savings that can be passed on to consumers. In the Philippines, Airbus is targeting long-haul flights from Manila to North America as possible routes that the 555-seater A380 can fly. Sean Lee, Airbus regional communications head for Asia-Pacific, said the Philippines remains "a very important market." He said the Asia-Pacific region’s aviation industry is growing faster than the worldwide average at 5.3% in 2007. Mr. Lee also said local airlines would benefit from the more efficient A380 as air traffic between Manila and the United States grows and record high oil prices put a strain on the industry. In a statement, the company noted that per passenger, the A380 has an unmatched fuel efficiency of less than three liters per 100 kilometers. Airbus said the A380 will allow airlines to carry more passengers and fly fewer flights, resulting in more efficient operations. Only five A380s are in operation, all owned by Singapore Airlines. The jets fly to Sydney, Heathrow and Narita. Airbus also has 17 customers who have ordered a total of 196 A380s, all of which have yet to be delivered. Mr. Lee said Airbus would not finish delivery of all the aircraft until 2012. Rolando Estabillo, vice-president for corporate communications of flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) — the only local airline that flies to North America — said it is in talks with Airbus, and the "A380 is worth looking into." In an interview, Mr. Estabillo told BusinessWorld PAL may order an A380 as it considers to increase the frequency of its flights to destinations in North America. Airbus’s Mr. Lee said if PAL were to order the A380 today, it would not get it until five years later. PAL has daily flights to Los Angeles and San Francisco in California. It also flies to Honolulu, Hawaii and Las Vegas, Nevada. PAL likewise flies to Vancouver, Canada. Mr. Estabillo said the airline might offer flights to San Diego, California, and more flights to Europe. PAL is waiting for the arrival of six 400-seater Boeing 777 aircraft set for delivery next year as part of its expansion. In June 2006, Airbus was embroiled in an international controversy over its announcement of a further delay in the delivery of its A380. A French shareholder group later filed a class suit against Airbus owners in a Dutch court for failing to inform investors of the financial implications of the A380 delays. As a result, No l Forgeard, chief of Airbus parent EADS, and Airbus Chief Executive Gustav Humbert announced their resignations on July 2, 2006.