Living (Very) Large

Will VLAs survive until they’re really needed?

Ten years after the introduction of the Airbus A380 into service, and five years since the Boeing 747-8I began flying with Lufthansa, the market for very large aircraft (VLA) like these is looking glum.

Numerous factors have contributed to their decline in popularity among airlines: the efficiency of long-range composite aircraft, the growth of larger twinjets, a lack of differentiation in ticket distribution, the rise in longhaul low-cost carriers, unprecedented air services liberalisation, uncertainty in airport infrastructure, low fuel prices, geopolitical decisions, a troubled cargo market, and the usual turbulence in the aviation industry.