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'The A380 is Over' - EK President Tim Clark

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'The A380 is Over' - EK President Tim Clark

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Old 7th May 2020, 00:42
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'The A380 is Over' - EK President Tim Clark

From UAE's The National:

“We know the A380 is over, the 747 is over but the A350 and the 787 will always have a place. They may not be ordered soon, they may have orders deferred and pushed back, but eventually they will come back, and they will be a better fit probably for global demand in the years post the pandemic,” he said.

The idea of reconfiguring planes, removing seats on planes or permanently factoring in spacing requirements in the future – in line with social distancing measures – is untenable and not sustainable, Mr Clark said.

“My view is basically two-fold. One, it wouldn’t surprise me if this virus disappeared completely by the end of summer. But if it doesn’t, then the pursuit of the vaccine is the only way we are going to be able to deal with it when it comes to international travel, and to some extent hospitality and other kinds of transport,” Mr Clark said.

“My own view, my gut feel is telling me that by the summer of next year we could be well on our way to mass global inoculation … and therefore things will change. If that happens all this business about spacing on aeroplanes, on buses, trains and restaurants and hotels goes away,” he added. “In the meantime of course, as long as this is going on, and if it’s another year then we are going to have to live with the agonies as far as air transport is concerned … with countries … taking down lockdown procedures.”

Emirates' Tim Clark: Coronavirus is a black swan event for the airline industry

The president of the Dubai airline says the pandemic is devastating for the business with some carriers still at risk despite government intervention

More airlines could have collapsed or consolidated globally without government intervention amid the Covid-19 pandemic and the aviation industry will see a decline in passenger traffic as well as the number of aircraft used by carriers once the crisis subsides, Emirates president Tim Clark said.

“It might have happened had there not been massive state intervention over the last months,” Mr Clark said in an interview with The National. “You would have seen companies that would have ordinarily sought to merge, amalgamate with others to relieve themselves jointly of the financial predicament they face.
Had the natural laws of supply and demand survival of the fittest worked, I think we would have seen the culling of many airlines.

“That would have happened, but then of course things started to accelerate, and the financial state of the business became exponentially bad. The first port of call was not to each other but to either to the shareholders and or to the states to intervene and that is clearly what has happened.”

Airlines across the globe are facing severe liquidity problems after the pandemic triggered country movement restriction measures and crushed air travel demand.

Carriers are taking unprecedented measures to protect their existence with dramatic capacity reductions and preserving cash as revenue withers. Last month, 10 US airlines reached an agreement with the American government to accept financial support from the $58 billion (Dh213bn) allocated for carriers out of the $2.2 trillion coronavirus stimulus approved in March.

Meanwhile, Air France-KLM is set to receive €7bn (Dh28.04bn) in the form of loans and loan guarantees from the French government and the Dutch government has pledged another €2-€4bn of loans and guarantees to KLM.

“Had the natural laws of supply and demand survival of the fittest worked, I think we would have seen the culling of many airlines. I thought about 85 per cent would go bust had there been no state intervention,” Mr Clark said.


Passenger aircraft operated by Emirates stand beside the terminal building at Dubai International Airport in Dubai. All photos by Bloomberg

“There wasn’t room for more consolidation,” he added. “State intervention has kept that from happening and it has stopped some of the smaller carriers going out of existence. How long that will go on for I don’t know. I am still not optimistic about the survivability of quite a few carriers.”

The International Air Transport Association (Iata) estimates airlines will lose $314bn in revenue this year – 55 per cent less than 2019, due to the coronavirus impact – and will require $200bn in government aid. Iata has urged governments to quickly implement pledges of financial support for carriers, warning that 25 million jobs are at risk in a scenario where three months of travel restrictions are combined with a plunge in air travel demand.

Mr Clark said he views the pandemic as a black swan event for the airline industry.

“I think that is what’s best describes it in my experience," he said in response to the characterisation.

"If you go back to any of the major interventions, disruptions that the world has faced since the Second World War; if you took the aggregate of all of those, they wouldn’t be the equivalent to what has happened here," Mr Clark added. "It’s hugely serious and it’s devastating for the business. I don’t see any way forward at the moment.”

Global passenger demand for air travel more than halved in March, the biggest slump in more than a decade, according to Iata. Passenger demand, measured in total revenue passenger kilometres, or RPKs, fell 53 per cent from the same period a year earlier. In seasonally adjusted terms, global passenger volumes slumped to their lowest level in 14 years.

“March was a disastrous month for aviation,” Alexandre de Juniac, Iata’s director general and chief executive, said last month, adding that conditions have further deteriorated in April and most signs point to a slow recovery.

Mr Clark said demand for air travel will be subdued for the coming years due to the fallout from the crisis.

“We have just got to accept that in the next year or two, perhaps a bit longer, demand for air travel is going to be tempered in many respects,” he said. “What emerges from this will be in my view almost perhaps 20 or 30 per cent less than what we were experiencing prior to the coronavirus kicking in.”

Mr Clark was unsure of an industry rebound this summer in July and August, on the back of heavy hotel discounts and people wanting to travel before schools resume in September, as Michael O'Leary the chief executive of Ryanair alluded to in the past week.

“It’s anybody’s guess as to what is going to happen, what people will do this summer,” he said. “Frankly if it was me, I’d write it off, and if you get anything good for you, that’s great. But don’t think it’s going to come back like a tsunami because I don’t think it will.”

On the future of air travel and passenger traffic trends, Mr Clark said the industry is set to change.

“The nature of the segmentation, the demand characteristics of all the segments that for instance Emirates carries and others carry, they’re going to change. They are changing,” he said.

“So, what will emerge from this will be quite interesting. How it pans out what the type, the size and fit of an asset to a residual network of some of the carriers will be, is anyone’s guess," he said.

"One thing is for sure, the network carriers, and to an extent the domestic carriers, are all having a major rethink as to what is likely to happen," he added. "Demand will fall in the time being, the demand for the number of aeroplanes flying prior to the coronavirus will also fall, airlines will ground old aircraft and concentrate on some of the new ones coming to market.”

Asked if the downturn of the global economy, which is set to slide into the deepest recession since the Great Depression of the 1930s, and projections for lower passenger traffic following the crisis, will reduce the appetite of carriers for wide-body planes, Mr Clark said that is likely.

“We know the A380 is over, the 747 is over but the A350 and the 787 will always have a place. They may not be ordered soon, they may have orders deferred and pushed back, but eventually they will come back, and they will be a better fit probably for global demand in the years post the pandemic,” he said.

“Do I see demand for these bigger aircraft slowing, yes I do,” he added. “The numbers I would suggest will be lower in the next three to five years and I think Boeing and Airbus recognise that and are already slowing their production now. You can’t fly from Dubai to San Francisco in a 737 non-stop but you can on a 787 and you can on an A350 and very comfortably.”

The idea of reconfiguring planes, removing seats on planes or permanently factoring in spacing requirements in the future – in line with social distancing measures – is untenable and not sustainable, Mr Clark said.

“My view is basically two-fold. One, it wouldn’t surprise me if this virus disappeared completely by the end of summer. But if it doesn’t, then the pursuit of the vaccine is the only way we are going to be able to deal with it when it comes to international travel, and to some extent hospitality and other kinds of transport,” Mr Clark said.

“My own view, my gut feel is telling me that by the summer of next year we could be well on our way to mass global inoculation … and therefore things will change. If that happens all this business about spacing on aeroplanes, on buses, trains and restaurants and hotels goes away,” he added. “In the meantime of course, as long as this is going on, and if it’s another year then we are going to have to live with the agonies as far as air transport is concerned … with countries … taking down lockdown procedures.”

Mr Clark was set to retire from Emirates at the end of June 2020 after more than three decades with the airline, which has played a seminal role in the development of Dubai’s economy and anchoring the emirate as a commercial and international travel hub.

He declined to say if he was extending his stay at the carrier, but said the airline has a well-equipped team to navigate the future following his departure.

“At the moment my concentration is trying to find a way through this pretty difficult situation. I have basically said I will stay for the time that it takes the management group that I am working with to get a way forward and then we’ll see after that how it goes on,” Mr Clark said.

“I am probably fairly useful still because I have the experience and my instincts; generally when we’re up against it, I tend to fall back on my instincts and very often I’m pleased to say they got us out of the hole,” he added.

“It’s not just about me, it's about the government who is the owner of Emirates. When the time is right, and I think everything is OK I will just carry on [with my plans]. We have a good team of people … they have worked with me for a long time, they know the way. It’s a difficult one because no one has been in this position ever in the airline industry today.”

Updated: May 5, 2020 02:35 PM
https://www.thenational.ae/business/...stry-1.1015208
Airbubba is offline  
Old 7th May 2020, 06:54
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Carriers are taking unprecedented measures to protect their existence with dramatic capacity reductions and preserving cash as revenue withers. Last month, 10 US airlines reached an agreement with the American government to accept financial support from the $58 billion (Dh213bn) allocated for carriers out of the $2.2 trillion coronavirus stimulus approved in March. Meanwhile, Air France-KLM is set to receive €7bn (Dh28.04bn) in the form of loans and loan guarantees from the French government and the Dutch government has pledged another €2-€4bn of loans and guarantees to KLM. “Had the natural laws of supply and demand survival of the fittest worked, I think we would have seen the culling of many airlines. I thought about 85 per cent would go bust had there been no state intervention,” Mr Clark said.

If natural laws of supply and demand had worked, Emirates would've never existed in its current shape and form.
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Old 7th May 2020, 07:03
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This bit should award STC for Standup Comedian of the Year. Now trying to scrub his own faults off and turn it into 787 and 350 are the future since EK put such huge orders on both the frames. Shameless baboon / bad days ahead, overbloated airline staffed with some of the most incompetent fools (speaking of the corporate ones) on the planet.... 100k staff that he doesn’t give a squat about, hope his “instincts” remind him of the ever so wonderful line “karma is a giant b&$!!”

“I am probably fairly useful still because I have the experience and my instincts; generally when we’re up against it, I tend to fall back on my instincts and very often I’m pleased to say they got us out of the hole,” he added.

Last edited by EchoKilla; 7th May 2020 at 07:38.
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Old 7th May 2020, 13:48
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Timithetossah what an arrogant Twit he really is
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Old 7th May 2020, 19:39
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Originally Posted by EchoKilla
This bit should award STC for Standup Comedian of the Year. Now trying to scrub his own faults off and turn it into 787 and 350 are the future since EK put such huge orders on both the frames. Shameless baboon / bad days ahead, overbloated airline staffed with some of the most incompetent fools (speaking of the corporate ones) on the planet.... 100k staff that he doesn’t give a squat about, hope his “instincts” remind him of the ever so wonderful line “karma is a giant b&$!!”

“I am probably fairly useful still because I have the experience and my instincts; generally when we’re up against it, I tend to fall back on my instincts and very often I’m pleased to say they got us out of the hole,” he added.

You seem very emotional. I hope you have someone close that can support you.
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Old 8th May 2020, 02:31
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Originally Posted by donpizmeov
You seem very emotional. I hope you have someone close that can support you.
Maybe he's a candidate for one of Ms. Stadler's webinars. You'd be nuts if you didn't go crazy in this business.
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Old 8th May 2020, 03:33
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hahaha good comments both! Made my morning!

Originally Posted by Airbubba
Maybe he's a candidate for one of Ms. Stadler's webinars. You'd be nuts if you didn't go crazy in this business.
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Old 8th May 2020, 10:40
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Egocentric idiot

STC is the one who chose the wrong fleet, he did nothing special for the company, he arrived at the right moment and watched the company grow ( not thanks to him ), he’s an ultra over paid old man that took so many bribes from some engine manufacturers that you have no idea... Now the after pandemic will be a blood bath thanks to the A380.
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Old 8th May 2020, 22:27
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Originally Posted by Jack330
STC is the one who chose the wrong fleet, he did nothing special for the company, he arrived at the right moment and watched the company grow ( not thanks to him ), he’s an ultra over paid old man that took so many bribes from some engine manufacturers that you have no idea... Now the after pandemic will be a blood bath thanks to the A380.
baseless accusations 👀
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Old 9th May 2020, 00:34
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Agree with PanAm .
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Old 9th May 2020, 07:15
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“I am probably fairly useful still because I have the experience and my instincts; generally when we’re up against it, I tend to fall back on my instincts and very often I’m pleased to say they got us out of the hole,”

Well, my instincts told me right from its launch that the 380 would be the failure it proved to be.
So following them would have spared us getting into that hole in the first place ......
Will i get a knighthood for that in retrospect? Or at least a part of the bonuses they gave that self-righteous Münchhausen?
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Old 9th May 2020, 10:27
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I posted this on a separate forum. Although I have nothing to do with EK, I have a few close colleagues who privately have expressed great concern for their future & that of the airline.

“Curious about the statement in this article 'Had the natural laws of supply and demand survival of the fittest worked, I think we would have seen the culling of many airlines'. the overtones of which imply that Emirates would not have been at risk as one of those airlines. It was however announced on March 31st, the end of the financial year, that Emirates is to be given a capital injection by the Dubai government. In my opinion, STC comes across as being self righteous, yet fails to see the error of his ways in his stewardship of EK. The company has lost direction in recent years, relying on thin margins and low operating costs to generate modest profits in lucrative times. It always was a risk to defy rational wisdom and order a fleet of behemoth aircraft, which left the airline exposed to any downturns and unable to reduce capacity quickly on thinner routes. Agreed Covid-19 is a black swan event, but even prior to the virus, there were signs that at least a slowdown was probable, yet EK failed to position itself.

His statement that the A380 era is over and the way forward is contrary to what he was quoted just a few months ago in November. He criticises BA for not ordering 'hundreds' of A380, and admonishes Airbus for cancelling the program.

https://www.airlineratings.com/news/emi ... -use-a380/

I agree the world has massively changed, but my argument is that EK were left with an unnecessary exposure to the possibility of a retraction in demand, and lacking in foresight.
As he contemplates retirement I wonder whether he rues not letting go of the reigns a little sooner, as his reputation is certainly tarnished.


(BTW, I do not agree with Jack330 re corruption allegations. Interested in his justification. It may be a rumour forum, but that’s possibly libellous).

Last edited by Dirigible; 9th May 2020 at 10:37.
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Old 9th May 2020, 13:33
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Originally Posted by Jack330
STC is the one who chose the wrong fleet, he did nothing special for the company, he arrived at the right moment and watched the company grow ( not thanks to him ), he’s an ultra over paid old man that took so many bribes from some engine manufacturers that you have no idea... Now the after pandemic will be a blood bath thanks to the A380.
I dont think that is particularly fair. The A380 was a good aircraft for EK's hub and spoke model - transporting lots of pax through DXB. Unfortunately for the aircraft, it seems to be only successful when used in that model and other aircraft are better at the point to point operations that other airlines specialise in.

STC can only decide on what is best for EK - and at the time that was the A380.
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Old 9th May 2020, 13:46
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Originally Posted by Jet II
I dont think that is particularly fair. The A380 was a good aircraft for EK's hub and spoke model - transporting lots of pax through DXB. Unfortunately for the aircraft, it seems to be only successful when used in that model and other aircraft are better at the point to point operations that other airlines specialise in.

STC can only decide on what is best for EK - and at the time that was the A380.
Boeing already decided in 2000 something that the hub model is outdated. Point to point is the way with smaller airplanes with long range capabilities. STC bungled it.
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Old 9th May 2020, 14:22
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Originally Posted by FlyingCroc
Boeing already decided in 2000 something that the hub model is outdated. Point to point is the way with smaller airplanes with long range capabilities. STC bungled it.
But the EK model doesn't rely on point to point (wouldn't actually work in Dubai anyway). STC could only work with what he had and the fact is that EK's hub and spoke operation worked for them.
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Old 9th May 2020, 21:35
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It amazes me how well some of you seem to know STC. Personal friends I presume?
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Old 10th May 2020, 00:11
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Originally Posted by fatbus
It amazes me how well some of you seem to know STC. Personal friends I presume?
I don’t see any poster here claiming to know STC personally. His policies & sentiments have been well documented through statements and media hence this discussion.
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