Airbus: Big Planes, Big Plans, Big Future

Airbus is looming large at Farnborough 2000. And "large" is the operative word.

First and foremost is the A300-600ST Super Transporter "Beluga," dominating the flightline as it does the oversize freight market. Airbus says it has the most voluminous main deck cargo compartment of any aircraft flying-it can carry up to 1,500 cubic meters of freight.

Airbus' A340-300 flying testbed also is here and on static display. One of its four CFM56-5C4 engines has been replaced with a Rolls Royce Trent 500. A flight test campaign currently underway is evaluating Trent 500 performance and is scheduled to culminate in type certification of the engine by year's end. The Trent 500 is powering the new A340-500 and ­600 transports and should enter revenue service in 2002.

In addition, an A340 in Lufthansa colors will participate in the daily flying displays and an Airbus A319CJ Corporate Jetliner will arrive on Tuesday for static display over the following two days.

But Airbus' biggest presence at Farnborough 2000 isn't yet visible. It's the company's plan to build the 555-seat A3XX "superjumbo" transport. The aircraft, which had its commercial launch in June, threatens to revolutionize the air transportation industry with new levels of comfort and efficiency. It also could unseat Boeing's monopoly position in the 400-seat and larger transport category, forcing it to respond with derivatives of its 420-seat 747-400.

Although there is no A3XX at the show, look for the large-scale model at the Airbus exhibit. Also look for official launch order commitments by airlines such as Emirates, Air France, Virgin Atlantic and lease company International Lease Finance Corp. Singapore Airlines and Qantas have indicated interest but are looking at Boeing's proposed 747X too.

Also at the Airbus exhibit are 1/20th-scale replicas of the long-range A330-200 and A340-600 as well as 1/100th-scale half-models of the complete product line.

By Paul Proctor