are that the current order book is not even close to break even, the cost over-runs amount to billions and delayed delivery has added yet further millions to the debt side of the book. Hardly time for a party is it?!
Boeing.....about 1969! The 747 nearly drove the Boeing down and made Seattle a ghost town. A program launched on the basis of an order for 25 from Pan Am! Who would ever want it? What airports could ever take it? 'They'll never get all those passengers to fill it up!'. Whatever became of the 747?
The fact is high capacityand long range aeroplanes are most certainly needed for the future. The 747 does not do the job, not for the next 40 years. It's a 40 year old design now. Just like the 757 has had its day, great aeroplane though it is, dinosaurs must pass and new designs must come. keep watching the 380 order book. With about 50+ in the Gulf alone, Far East airlines competing with each other, Qantas and European airlines increasing their orders, in a few years you will wonder what your problem was now! The US won't have it- they have a hangup about flying twins everywhere.
Who expects the current order book to break even? It hasn't even flown its first revenue service yet! Orders are coming, you can bet on it. The Japs are going to love this baby, the Far East airlines are just starting, Europe has barely got under way yet. Don't keep asking for figures- you've got to explain why you think it's not going to make it and
you give figures to justify that myopic stance! You are the one who will have your words thrown back at you!