Part 6/11:
Beyond operational logistics, economic factors played a crucial role in the decision not to order the A380. With its four-engine configuration, the A380 incurred greater maintenance complexities and fuel consumption compared to its twin-engine counterparts. In an industry fraught with competition, the economic risk of needing to fill large capacities became a significant concern, especially during a period marked by bankruptcies and mergers.
The business model employed by Emirates, which successfully incorporated the A380, was not replicable in the U.S. Emirates designed its services around a massive hub in Dubai, uniquely positioned to serve a global market. Their infrastructure and government backing allowed the kind of strategic investments that American carriers could not afford.