Doric Nimrod Air One Limited - DORIC NIMROD AIR TWO LIMITED

costs. This was achieved by constructing the Airbus A380 with advanced materials such as
carbon-reinforced and fibre-reinforced plastics, and new generation engines delivered by
Engine Alliance. The Airbus A380-800 is very economical in its fuel consumption, using
approx. three litres of kerosene per 100 passenger kilometres.
In November 2006 an Airbus A380-800 took off for a series of test flights in order to prove
the aircraft’s airworthiness on long haul flights and its airport compatibility. Its destinations
around the globe were Düsseldorf, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong,
Tokyo, Sydney, Johannesburg and Vancouver. The flight from Vancouver back to Toulouse
via the North Pole on 30 November 2006 was the successful conclusion of the Airbus A380-
800’s certification programme. In December 2005 the Airbus A380-800 with Engine Alliance
GP7270 engines was awarded its type certificate by the FAA (US Federal Aviation
Administration) and on 23 April 2007 by EASA, the European Air Safety Agency.
Market segment
The international aircraft fleet can be classified under various aspects. Primarily, a distinction
is made considering the purpose, i.e. cargo or passenger aircraft. Passenger aircraft are usually
classified using their range (short, medium or long range aircraft), the number of aisles as a
function of their body width ("narrowbody" with one aisle, or "widebody" with two aisles),
and passenger capacity.
The Airbus A380-800 is a widebody aircraft equally capable of short, medium and long haul
flights and, alongside the Boeing 747-400 (and the forthcoming B747-8 Intercontinental)
forms part of the highest capacity category of 400+ seats. The A380-800 has a maximum
certified carrying capacity of up to 853 seats in a single-class layout, a configuration which
has attracted orders from Air Austral and Skymark Airlines to date.
It is considered likely in Doric's view that the Airbus A380-800 will form a key element for
the expected future growth in air traffic, since its size makes it possible to transport a greater
number of passengers without increasing the number of flights. Given that the airspace above
major international airports is already affected by frequent congestion, Doric considers that it
is likely that demand will grow for very large aircraft with a number of seats well above 400.
Commonality across the Airbus product series
Airbus produces competitive passenger aircraft models for all the usual market segments and
thus can offer airlines a large choice with regard to maximum passenger numbers and
potential ranges. The spectrum ranges from the Airbus A318, which can transport around 100
passengers, right up to the A380-800, since its market introduction, accommodating up to 853
passengers.
All Airbus aircraft are based on the same cockpit layout. This makes it easier for pilots to
transfer from one type of aircraft to another and reduces the periods of training which airlines
have to schedule for their pilots. For example, a pilot needs less than two weeks of simulator
training to be able to switch between a model from the Airbus A320 family and an A380-800.
Outlook
After nearly four decades of Boeing's success in the upper market segment of widebody
aircraft with its Boeing 747 family, the launch of the Airbus A380-800 altered the competitive
situation. Doric considers that the Boeing 747-400, which has been produced for nearly 20
years, is a less attractive model than the A380-800 in terms of size, comfort and operating
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