Agreed. Why bother with the -8? Perhaps a few on a lease may be on their way as an interim measure.
Conservatism has looked after CX well over the years. Yes, it's boring from the outside, but over-expansion and chasing market share has killed off vast numbers of airlines.
Cost control is also another big element in CX business outlook. Yes, frustrating and penny-pinching on the front line, but in terms of long-term rationale, they know they have the lions share of the HKG market without having to run the risk of flying empty A380s around in the next downturn.
They know they can make more money, but at the risk of losing a lot more, too.
Despite our opinions, the top brass at CX are very well versed in the financial side of things. They've been around a great deal longer than the Middle-East crowd, and are ensuring that they will be around in generations to come. Potentially, they may have lost out at times, but have played it safe. Very much the CX way.
Betting the farm on the A380, lovely as it is from a pax perspective, leaves you well and truly vulnerable to being caught with your pants down during a downturn. Yes, perhaps they can make a lot of money, but are a huge gamble and liability. Very much the Dubai way. Just take a look at how the place faired during the downturn.