Originally Posted by
safetypee
The A380 could be saved by an increasing demand for freight traffic.
The aircraft was designed to be a freighter as a new build aircraft (A380-800F), thus it would not be surprising that designs for retro modification of passenger aircraft are readily available.
Modification of a slightly older generation aircraft could be easier that cutting into more recent 'plastic' aircraft.
Also the double deck 380 could have advantages in multiple side loading doors and possibly for nose lift, although the latter might not be required or viable.
Safetypee, the A380 simply does not pencil out as an effective freighter. Aside from the difficulties of loading freight on the upper deck (which would require massive strengthening to carry a meaningful load), it's MZFW is far too low. Yes, it can carry the cargo a long way without needing to refuel but it can't carry much and the world air cargo market isn't built that way - it's based around max leg lengths of about 4,000 miles. Cargo operators would rather carry more cargo and make a gas stop than go non-stop over long distances. As it is, the A380 is limited to about 85 tons cargo, while the 777F can carry well over 100 tons and the 747-8F pushes 150 tons. Further, the location of the flightdeck makes a nose cargo door a non-starter.
Presumable, the A380F would have addressed the MZFW issue, but retrofitting built aircraft to increase the MZFW by 50 tons or more is simply not practical.