Originally Posted by
glofish
As for production slots of smaller new aircraft:
If the trigger is pulled on the 380, within useful time those production lines can be converted to 350s/320NEOs. As this bullet depends mainly on EK, they can negotiate earlier delivery dates i assume.
But then again, pulling the trigger on such a prestigious product leaves too many d/h faceless around here. To the point that they'd rather have EK morph into a gulfair-like state than put on some clothes.
Pulling the trigger on A380 orders MAY be offset by ordering a different AIB product, but the knock on effect with the suppliers would be enormous, and should not be under estimated.
Bully boy tactics may also have had their day, you can only push so far, and the legacy behaviour is frustrating in the extreme.
AIB will be left with huge facilities when 380 production stops, but installing the jigs and equipment for a/c with a totally different footprint is not the work of a moment.
Interesting times ahead though, on all fronts, and the expectation is enormous. I wonder if the CM master plan will survive contact with reality though?