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The long range A-330 and A-340 models lacked a top-of-the-line superjumbo to rival the venerable Boeing 747.Boeing sales people could always point to the advantages of commonality in cockpit layout, spare parts stocks, maintenance, and other factors, in selling a package of airliners of various sizes, to meet all the needs of major carriers.
As a consequence, Airbus determined that the world needed a new generation of superjumbos, and is introducing the A-380, which just this week was certified by US and European authorities as able to be evacuated satisfactorily in the event of a crash, no small point when 700-800 lives could be lost in the event of a fire.
The A-380 still has a way to go before entering commercial service.
Deliveries have been delayed, and rumors fly about problems with weight, performance guarantees of range and fuel consumption, and even unconfirmed dark talk of structural integrity issues.
Utilizing the emerging technology of co...
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