A goal of the A380 programme from the start has been to offer double-digit improvements in fuel burn and operating costs when compared with today’s largest commercial aircraft.

The A380 has the potential to increase an operator’s return by as much as 35%. Its increased capacity and longer range provide airlines with significantly more seat-miles on every flight. And because Airbus has maximised the boarding and deplaning process by cutting out choke points, the significantly shorter turn-round time for airport processing of an A380 allows schedules to be kept tight and extra flights flown.

Thanks to the incorporation of the latest advances in structures, materials, aerodynamics, systems and engine design, the A380 will provide a direct operating cost per seat which is 15-20 per cent lower than the 747-400.