Whatever is the problem that some people are having trying to accept that the aviation world is moving on? Just as in the early 70s, airport infrastructure had to be modified and changed to adapt to 747 operations, so the world has moved on to an even bigger aeroplane. The problem is? An old, mid 60s design is no longer right for pressing on with aviation for the next 40 years. The A380 is a fine, efficient, high capacity aeroplane, that will do the job. It is having no more introductory problems than the 747-100 had on and after introduction. In fact the 747 was a disaster with engine failures all over the place, flaps falling off, and electronic breakdowns. But it got fixed, after nearly taking Boeing down with it.
The A380 is coming, and it will work, and it will be a success, because it is right. Not right for US carriers- they have shown their preference for lighter twins/ETOPs operations. This thing will be bought in large numbers by the big European carriers and the successful Far Eastern carriers. As a high capacity people mover, it will knock spots off the 747. And looking at the design, it is all in place for significant stretching- what an efficient move that will be!
So let's stop carping that a delay for electrical problems and airport modifications is going to drag Airbus down! A bit of rudder waggling is not a problem- the 777 had excess rudder problems inflight that had to be fixed to stop the cabin crew throwing up! So how about welcoming a great new aeroplane......and say to ourselves:
*fuel is not going to run out next year
*airports that want to operate it will rapidly make the changes to do so
*it's a great machine that is going to be exciting when it is introduced
*it's less traumatic for the world than the introduction of the 747 in the 70s
*it is not having undue problems for the introduction of such a radical change
*even though the US won't buy it, others will. See if people want to fly in a 777 across the Pacific when the opposition is flying A380s!