Latest news with #A380
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
The complex life cycle of giant aircraft – and why you might be better off in an older model
At 19, the world's oldest commercial A380 is hardly ancient but – in aircraft years – it's reached an age at which most large jets (the affectionate nickname for all wide, long bodied aircraft) retire to the great boneyards of the desert. Not this one though: after a five-year hiatus, it's back ploughing the skies for Emirates, according to The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) says that most planes have a life cycle of around 25-30 years, but that includes a long period of research and development before their first commercial flights take off. If you find yourself on a comparatively ancient aircraft, don't worry: planes are subjected to frequent tests to ensure safety and usually retire because they become less commercially competitive rather than dangerous. A wide-body aircraft's journey involves a long period of incubation and subsequent nurturing before it can go out into the world. 'The journey from the design board to commercial service for a commercial aircraft is one of the most complex undertakings in modern industrial engineering,' says Linus Benjamin Bauer, founder and managing direction of the aviation consultancy BAA & Partners. 'Typically, the aircraft development programme takes up to 15 years to bring a new aircraft such as the A380 to market.' The original jumbo, Boeing's 747, was conceived in 1966 and began to fly commercially four years later thanks to tight deadlines imposed by its first purchaser, Pan Am. But, before paying passengers can get onboard, planes face 'initial conceptual studies, customer consultations, digital modelling, prototype development and regulatory certification,' according to Bauer. 'Certification itself is particularly rigorous,' he says. 'Manufacturers must demonstrate compliance with thousands of airworthiness requirements. Each new aircraft must pass a full-scale evacuation test – where all passengers must exit within 90 seconds using only half the available exits. Structural integrity is validated through static testing, where airframes are pushed 50 per cent beyond their design limits, and fatigue testing, which simulates decades of flight cycles.' These tests can make or break a plane's popularity: when they uncovered issues with weight in some of Boeing's earliest 787 aircraft (nicknamed the 'Terrible Teens'), the planes were rejected by airlines including All Nippon Airways and Royal Air Maroc, according to the website (though they now take to the skies with Ethiopian and Air Austral). The A380 also had a complicated conception. 'While technologically advanced, it was delayed by nearly two years due to a major production issue,' says Bauer. 'The wiring systems designed in Germany were incompatible with the French-built fuselage sections because they used different 3D modelling software versions. This misalignment triggered an expensive and [potentially] reputationally damaging cascade of redesigns.' Running costs affect the lifespan of an aircraft, as well as advancing technology and trends. The A380 is a hulk of a plane and its days have long been numbered, thanks to expenses linked to its size. In 2021, Emirates, the biggest fan of the aircraft with 121 in its fleet, took delivery of the last one ever made. It meant that the A380 had a much shorter run than the 747, which only went out of production in 2022, after more than five decades. Born out of a desire to fit more passengers into the cabin and raise per-seat profits, the 747 has been a huge success, with no competitors to match it in terms of seat capacity until the A380 came along 37 years later. Both aircraft continue to fly, with Forbes claiming there are 400 747s still in service (almost double the amount of A380s ever made). Keeping older planes going requires meticulous maintenance and careful piloting. New tech is retro-fitted and they often have makeovers to bring their cabins or liveries up to date too: in May 2025, Korean Air unveiled a 747-8i sporting its smart new blue look and logo. 'Over the course of a jet's life, it will undergo extensive maintenance and repair, but these do not imply degradation in safety,' says Bauer. 'On the contrary, aircraft become more stringently monitored as they age. Airlines conduct daily line checks, periodic A- and B-checks, and deep-dive C- and D-checks where the aircraft is virtually dismantled, inspected, and rebuilt every six to ten years. Engines are overhauled or replaced, flight control systems updated, and any structural fatigue is carefully monitored using non-destructive testing techniques. Safety margins remain extremely high, and ageing aircraft are continuously evaluated under regulatory oversight from authorities such as the Federal Aviation Authority and EASA.' But the shadow of retirement always lingers, because aircraft manufacturers are endlessly innovating to make their products lighter and more sustainable. It's been impossible to fly from the UK in a 747 since 2020, when both BA and Virgin Atlantic retired theirs (hop to Frankfurt, however, and you can board a Lufthansa 747-8 to one of 12 destinations, including Tokyo Haneda, Buenos Aires and Newark). President Trump also travels on the two, heavily customised 747s in the Air Force One fleet, and was recently gifted another one by the Qatari government. It will, however, require a bit of retrofitting if it is to serve in the fleet. 'The President and his travel companions enjoy 4,000 square feet of floor space on three levels, including an extensive suite for the President that features a large office, lavatory, and conference room. Air Force One includes a medical suite that can function as an operating room, and a doctor is permanently on board,' the White House website reveals. For normal passengers, A380s remain attractive: roomy, with a smooth ride, they're renowned for being comfortable on long-haul journeys while their First Class and Business cabins have space for plenty of onboard luxuries. There are even proper showers on some Emirates' A380s – which goes some way to explain the reluctance to decommission them by some airlines, despite 787s and A350s being more economical. In 2024, IATA revealed that the average age of a commercial aircraft was 14 years and 10 months, and the EASA states that almost a third of all of Europe's planes are due to be retired in the next decade. The lucky ones will live out their days in aerospace museums such as Paris's Musée de l'Air et de l'Espace in Paris Le Bourget. Others are dismantled so that approved working parts can be reused, and some cabin furniture finds its way into films and TV shows, offices and even homes. Much of what can't be reused, including titanium, aluminium and rubber, can be recycled, though about 15 per cent of waste ends up in landfill, according to the EASA. Among the retirees, there are bound to be more A380s and 747s because, in 2026, another giant is expected on the scene: the 777-9. Longer even than the 747-8, with the largest engines of any passenger plane, it should still cut fuel consumption by 10 per cent and has been ordered by British Airways, Singapore Airlines, Emirates and Lufthansa amongst others. 'The aircraft features new carbon-fibre composite wings, advanced GE9X engines, and a reimagined passenger cabin,' says Bauer. 'From my point of view, the 777X will effectively mark the end of the 747 in passenger service. While some 747-8is may remain in limited use, and freighter versions will continue for years due to their payload advantages, the age of four-engine passenger aircraft is over. It is not sentiment but economics – as well as evolving regulation on noise, emissions, and sustainability – that has redrawn the map. In this new landscape, efficiency, not size, is king.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
a day ago
- Business
- Telegraph
The complex life cycle of a jumbo jet – and why you might be better off in an older model
At 19, the world's oldest commercial A380 is hardly ancient but – in aircraft years – it's reached an age at which most jumbo jets (the affectionate nickname for all wide, long bodied aircraft) retire to the great boneyards of the desert. Not this one though: after a five-year hiatus, it's back ploughing the skies for Emirates, according to The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) says that most planes have a life cycle of around 25-30 years, but that includes a long period of research and development before their first commercial flights take off. If you find yourself on a comparatively ancient jumbo, don't worry: aircraft are subjected to frequent tests to ensure safety and usually retire because they become less commercially competitive rather than dangerous. The birth of a jumbo A jumbo's journey involves a long period of incubation and subsequent nurturing before it can go out into the world. 'The journey from the design board to commercial service for a commercial aircraft is one of the most complex undertakings in modern industrial engineering,' says Linus Benjamin Bauer, founder and managing direction of the aviation consultancy BAA & Partners. 'Typically, the aircraft development programme takes up to 15 years to bring a new aircraft such as the A380 to market.' The original jumbo, Boeing's 747, was conceived in 1966 and began to fly commercially four years later thanks to tight deadlines imposed by its first purchaser, Pan Am. But, before paying passengers can get onboard, planes face 'initial conceptual studies, customer consultations, digital modelling, prototype development and regulatory certification,' according to Bauer. 'Certification itself is particularly rigorous,' he says. 'Manufacturers must demonstrate compliance with thousands of airworthiness requirements. Each new aircraft must pass a full-scale evacuation test – where all passengers must exit within 90 seconds using only half the available exits. Structural integrity is validated through static testing, where airframes are pushed 50 per cent beyond their design limits, and fatigue testing, which simulates decades of flight cycles.' These tests can make or break a plane's popularity: when they uncovered issues with weight in some of Boeing's earliest 787 aircraft (nicknamed the 'Terrible Teens'), the planes were rejected by airlines including All Nippon Airways and Royal Air Maroc, according to the website (though they now take to the skies with Air Ethiopia and Air Austral). The A380 also had a complicated conception. 'While technologically advanced, it was delayed by nearly two years due to a major production issue,' says Bauer. 'The wiring systems designed in Germany were incompatible with the French-built fuselage sections because they used different 3D modelling software versions. This misalignment triggered an expensive and [potentially] reputationally damaging cascade of redesigns.' Active service Running costs affect the lifespan of an aircraft, as well as advancing technology and trends. The A380 is a hulk of a plane and its days have long been numbered, thanks to expenses linked to its size. In 2021, Emirates, the biggest fan of the aircraft with 121 in its fleet, took delivery of the last one ever made. It meant that the A380 had a much shorter run than the 747, which only went out of production in 2022, after more than five decades. Born out of a desire to fit more passengers into the cabin and raise per-seat profits, the 747 has been a huge success, with no competitors to match it in terms of seat capacity until the A380 came along 37 years later. Both aircraft continue to fly, with Forbes claiming there are 400 747s still in service (almost double the amount of A380s ever made). Keeping older planes going requires meticulous maintenance and careful piloting. New tech is retro-fitted and they often have makeovers to bring their cabins or liveries up to date too: in May 2025, Korean Air unveiled a 747-8i sporting its smart new blue look and logo. 'Over the course of a jet's life, it will undergo extensive maintenance and repair, but these do not imply degradation in safety,' says Bauer. 'On the contrary, aircraft become more stringently monitored as they age. Airlines conduct daily line checks, periodic A- and B-checks, and deep-dive C- and D-checks where the aircraft is virtually dismantled, inspected, and rebuilt every six to ten years. Engines are overhauled or replaced, flight control systems updated, and any structural fatigue is carefully monitored using non-destructive testing techniques. Safety margins remain extremely high, and ageing aircraft are continuously evaluated under regulatory oversight from authorities such as the Federal Aviation Authority and EASA.' But the shadow of retirement always lingers, because aircraft manufacturers are endlessly innovating to make their products lighter and more sustainable. It's been impossible to fly from the UK in a 747 since 2020, when both BA and Virgin Atlantic retired theirs (hop to Frankfurt, however, and you can board a Lufthansa 747-8 to one of 12 destinations, including Tokyo Haneda, Buenos Aires and Newark). President Trump also travels on the two, heavily customised 747s in the Air Force One fleet, and was recently gifted another one by the Qatari government. It will, however, require a bit of retrofitting if it is to serve in the fleet. 'The President and his travel companions enjoy 4,000 square feet of floor space on three levels, including an extensive suite for the President that features a large office, lavatory, and conference room. Air Force One includes a medical suite that can function as an operating room, and a doctor is permanently on board,' the White House website reveals. For normal passengers, A380s remain attractive: roomy, with a smooth ride, they're renowned for being comfortable on long-haul journeys while their First Class and Business cabins have space for plenty of onboard luxuries. There are even proper showers on some Emirates' A380s – which goes some way to explain the reluctance to decommission them by some airlines, despite 787s and A350s being more economical. Reaching retirement In 2024, IATA revealed that the average age of a commercial aircraft was 14 years and 10 months, and the EASA states that almost a third of all of Europe's planes are due to be retired in the next decade. The lucky ones will live out their days in aerospace museums such as Paris's Musée de l'Air et de l'Espace in Paris Le Bourget. Others are dismantled so that approved working parts can be reused, and some cabin furniture finds its way into films and TV shows, offices and even homes. Much of what can't be reused, including titanium, aluminium and rubber, can be recycled, though about 15 per cent of waste ends up in landfill, according to the EASA. Among the retirees, there are bound to be more A380s and 747s because, in 2026, another giant is expected on the scene: the 777-9. Longer even than the 747-8, with the largest engines of any passenger plane, it should still cut fuel consumption by 10 per cent and has been ordered by British Airways, Singapore Airlines, Emirates and Lufthansa amongst others. 'The aircraft features new carbon-fibre composite wings, advanced GE9X engines, and a reimagined passenger cabin,' says Bauer. 'From my point of view, the 777X will effectively mark the end of the 747 in passenger service. While some 747-8is may remain in limited use, and freighter versions will continue for years due to their payload advantages, the age of four-engine passenger aircraft is over. It is not sentiment but economics – as well as evolving regulation on noise, emissions, and sustainability – that has redrawn the map. In this new landscape, efficiency, not size, is king.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
The Mancunian Way: Closing down after 29 years
I was sad to hear that John and Alice Harper were closing down their beloved King Street boutique after 29 years in business. A picture of the couple showed them arm in arm proudly grinning at the camera outside the shop. There was just one problem - they don't exist. In fact John and Alice are AI inventions created to dupe online shoppers into buying cheap goods from China. You can tell there is something odd when you look at John's hand, which appears to have a thumb that spans about 12cm. READ MORE: Police storm busy Greater Manchester road as driver arrested READ MORE: Andy Burnham allowed £120m loans with 'no lawful or proper process', court hears The scam was revealed by Manchester Evening News writer Charlotte Fisher earlier this month and investigated by reporter James Holt. James has been looking into the issue further and has found there are dozens of these adverts re-using brand images and modelling photographs for garments worth just a few pounds. Websites are popping up to sell the same items with a much higher price tag, all while deceptively advertising themselves on social media. The scammers have even gone so far as to create falsified Trustpilot reviews for these 'shops'. But anyone who tries to return items to Harper Manchester will have to use the address in the Zhejiang province of China, 6,000 miles away. Not exactly the beloved local business we were led to believe. Harper Manchester's Facebook page was initially taken down for violating Meta's policies. But less than a fortnight on, new adverts for the website have appeared across social media platforms. This time, AI-generated adverts created entirely new personas of the store's owners. It was no longer John and Alice Harper, but an older, grey-haired man in an apron outside a shop. While another ad showed a younger man in a dark-coloured shirt, again outside a different store. Similarly, Beaumont London claimed to have been 'set up by two sisters' - but linked to a returns address to a warehouse in the Tai Kok Tsui region of Hong Kong. Again using AI generated images of two women, the ads described a major closing down sale after 29 years with the owner ready for 'a new chapter' after becoming a grandmother. 'It's a bittersweet decision, but one made with a full and grateful heart,' it reads. You can read James' full, startling, investigation here. James Asquith holds the Guinness World Record for being the youngest man to visit every country in the world. He also founded Airbnb rival Holiday Swap. Now the multimillionaire has turned his hand to aviation in the form of Global Airlines. Having acquired a second-hand A380, previously flown by China Southern, the businessman has started flights from Manchester to New York. Our travel writer Liv Clarke was among one of the first on board and, as she explains, it was a mixed experience. Although the food was good, the staff were friendly and check in was easy, she says the 12-year-old plane itself bore plenty of signs of wear and tear. But the most exciting part was travelling on a 'beast of a plane' - in fact an airbus A380 usually only operated from Manchester by Emirates. You can read how she got on here. When reporter Kit Roberts visited Forest Bank to witness rapper Chris Brown being released on bail, they weren't sure what would happen. But the last thing they expected to see was fans bringing their children to the prison gates to catch a glimpse of the star. Kit watched as fans livestreamed the event, shouted, cheered and whooped as Brown passed and then followed him to the Lowry Hotel. Read all about it here. The wonderful thing about being a news reporter is the variety. One minute you're watching a US rapper being released from prison - the next you're being chased by police dogs. Hot on the heels of their Chris Brown experience, Kit met an adorable puppy in training to be a police dog and a veteran of the trade. Kit learnt all about their specialist work and the bond between the dogs and their handlers. A criminal told police he was avoiding a town centre as it was 'flaming' with police officers. Force chiefs in Stockport say it was a ringing endorsement of their ongoing drive against shoplifting and anti-social behaviour. Chris Slater has been speaking to the officers at the helm of driving crime down in the town. You can read the details of Operation Rimini here. Thursday: Light rain changing to overcast by late morning. 19C. Roads: A572 St Helens Road southbound, Leigh, closed due to roadworks from A578 Twist Lane to Bonnywell Road. Until June 30. A6 Chapel Street westbound, Salford, closed due to long-term roadworks from A6041 Blackfriars Road to A34 New Bailey Street. Until January 19. A58 Park Road in both directions closed due to water main work at Westhoughton until May 30. When Adam Maidment visited Benidorm in search of €1 drinks he was left with a dilemma - how do you pay so little for a beer without feeling like you've just committed daylight robbery? You can read how he got on supping the cheap drinks (contrary to the advice of Frank the Stag Man) in this entertaining feature here.
The Independent
3 days ago
- Lifestyle
- The Independent
Raise a Glass to New South Wales: Australia's Most Exciting Wine State
From the gourmet delights of the historic Hunter Valley to the cool-climate vineyards of Orange and the 19th-century charm of Mudgee, New South Wales is the place to be for life-affirming wining and dining. And if you're flying into the state capital Sydney with Qantas, the experience begins before you even touch down on Aussie terra firma. From takeoff to touchdown On board the airline's award-winning A380, which flies from London to Sydney via Singapore, the wine list is already overflowing with sommelier-selected Aussie pours, a rotating list of top labels from regions you're about to set foot in, and a food menu that pays homage to the country's superb produce. But you're just getting started – as soon as you land in Sydney, it's easier than ever to hop between foodie hotspots across New South Wales with Qantas' domestic network and the Qantas Explorer, which makes travel both flexible and affordable. The historic Hunter Valley There are few better places to embark on a wine escapade than the Hunter Valley, Australia's oldest and most widely-renowned wine area, just a two-hour drive from Sydney. With more than 150 wineries to choose from, you could easily spend years exploring them all. Sip on semillon in the sun and taste shiraz made from some of the oldest vines in the world, or enjoy a languorous lunch surrounded by endless hills speckled with vineyards. The food isn't an afterthought in the Hunter Valley. Restaurants like Muse and Bistro Molines champion a farm-to-fork ethos, with menus that evolve with the seasons and many wines that travel from vine to glass in less than a mile. The cool-climate wines of Orange The high-altitude vineyards of Orange offer a different kind of tasting experience; the cooler climate here results in excellent Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc. Daily Qantas flights from Sydney get you to Orange in just over an hour, and Oenophiles will be in their element, with cellar doors sandwiched into rolling hills and ancient volcanic soils that give the grapes their full flavour. Despite being one of the newer wine regions, Orange is making waves among Australian wine insiders. The food scene is equally impressive. Try Sister's Rock Restaurant for produce that celebrates what grows in the Wiradjuri country – the ancestral lands of the Wiradjuri people, one of the largest First Nations groups in New South Wales, whose knowledge of the land stretches back thousands of years. It's located at one of Australia's highest vineyards, Borrodell Vineyard, with glorious views of the Towac Valley and beyond. The region is also flecked with bakeries, cafes and farmers' markets that spotlight Orange's ever-evolving food scene. The rustic region of Mudgee Mudgee is just a few hours northwest of Sydney in the pretty Cudgegong River Valley and is home to more than 40 family-run cellar doors known for full-bodied reds and wines made from Italian grapes. The town is a popular weekend escape for Sydneysiders, with Qantas operating regular flights from Sydney to Mudgee in under an hour. The area offers a snapshot of the past, with lots of colonial-era architecture, gold rush history, and Aboriginal rock art sites. The food is also something to shout home about; paddock-to-plate is hot here, and restaurants like Zin House craft their menu around what's grown on-site – if they don't grow it, they don't serve it. Tuck into plates of handmade pasta laden with veggies grown a mere 50 metres away, and sip on organic and biodynamic bottles from Mudgee's award-winning winery, Lowe Family Wine Co.
Hi Dubai
4 days ago
- Business
- Hi Dubai
Emirates Opens Travel Store in Mauritius and Renews Tourism Partnership
Emirates, the world's largest international airline, has officially launched a new Travel Store in Port-Louis, Mauritius, strengthening its presence and commitment to enhancing the travel experience for Mauritian customers. The opening marks a key milestone alongside the renewal of a long-standing partnership with the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) aimed at boosting tourism to the island. Located at The Docks 2, United Docks Business Park, the 1,895-square-foot store offers immersive technology-driven experiences and personalised travel support. Customers can explore Emirates' latest inflight products, access self-service kiosks, take destination-themed photos, and purchase exclusive branded merchandise. The launch ceremony featured Emirates Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer Adnan Kazim, Mauritius Minister of Housing and Lands Shakeel Mohamed, and senior executives from both Emirates and MTPA. Kazim emphasized the airline's 23 years of service in Mauritius and its dedication to providing seamless, personalised service through the new store. Alongside the store opening, Emirates and MTPA signed a renewed Memorandum of Understanding to continue promoting Mauritius as a top tourist destination. The partnership, active since 2012, focuses on engaging travel agents and tour operators across key global markets to increase visitor arrivals, which surpassed 1.3 million in 2024. Essa Sulaiman Ahmad, Emirates Senior Vice President for Commercial West Asia and Indian Ocean, highlighted the importance of the airline's double daily A380 flights in supporting the island's tourism growth and local economy. Minister of Tourism Richard Duval and MTPA Chairperson Claire Le Lay both praised the collaboration's role in expanding Mauritius's global connectivity and tourism appeal. Emirates currently operates two direct daily A380 flights to Mauritius, continuing its role as a vital link between the island and the world. News Source: Dubai Media Office
