Why is the 737max bigger than the DC-9 or earlier 737s, why is the 787 bigger than the 767, why is the 777X bigger than the 777, why is the 747-8 bigger than the 747-400 ? Is Airbus the only ones to build larger aircraft ?
I said VERY large aircraft concept i.e. the 380 in its present form. Yes Boeing build big machines, but even they wouldn't take the leap of faith to develop a new family of airframes in this category, the 747-8 has also been a disaster.
EK are driving 5x517 seat A380s a day to LHR with 90% load factors and 64% break even. How much if a profit dive would they take replacing them with the 777X?
Don't know, and don't care, because it won't happen as this is the specific niche that the 380 was designed for, a congested, popular, slot constrained hub. If a third rwy at LHR ever happens, EK might be able to run 10 380's a day.
Strategic Aero give the impression that EK only lease A380s. EK only own 15 aircraft out of a fleet 217, they own 5xA330-200s, 1xA340-500, 4xA380s, 1x777-200, and 4x777-300ERs. The rest are leased (operating or finance), i.e. 129 of their 777s are leased.
Given the title of the thread, and the general argument made then its worth making the point that its irrelevant if the airframes are leased or owned, we are talking about value (lessors sell airframes as well). Who else in the present environment is going to take these airframes? particularly when EK have no more use for them, whoever it might be, you can be fairly certain it will be at a heavily reduced rate.
I can't personally take issue with the assessment, given the state of the 380 program in terms of its one customer bias and the lack of orders, but I'm merely an interested amateur, its not my money, its just an opinion.