What's the A380's landing gear config? For it is that which determines its ACN, not just its AUW. The C-17 is huge, and can carry serious weight, but it doesn't require super-strong surfaces due to its triple-tandem main gear config (weight spread across a wide area)
And C-130s have always been able to operate from grass strips, despite a 70t+ max AUW.
I find it difficult to believe a successful manufacturer like Airbus would limit their market on an expensive new-design product like this. Anyone know better?
16B