Small airline’s big plans for all-economy A380
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Reunion-based Air Austral has announced plans to become the world’s first airline to operate an all-economy class Airbus A380, which will seat around 840 passengers, Australian newspaper The Age has reported.
The airline has reportedly ordered two superjumbos, claiming they would enable it to offer cheaper tickets between Paris and the French territory in the Indian Ocean.
“Our vision is to provide a low cost-high quality service on the heavy traffic route between La Reunion and Paris and the A380 allows us to make this vision a reality,” Air Austral’s President, Gerard Etheve, was reported saying in a statement.
Air Austral’s surprising order for two single-class A380s has increased speculation that the world’s largest passenger jet’s reputation for luxury could be undermined by airlines eager to lower their fuel costs per passenger on long routes, the report said.
By cramming 840 passengers into an A380, Airbus claims the aircraft will be the most fuel efficient and environmentally friendly yet. The European planemaker said the Air Austral A380 will consume less than two litres of fuel per 100km per passenger. Airbus claims the jet is 20% more fuel efficient than the Boeing 747.
The A380 is certified to carry a maximum 853 passengers.
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