In a remarkable ceremony in Toulouse, France, last May 25, Korean Air joined the list of five customers in a typical honeymoon with the A380. The ceremony was well-attended by industry leaders as well as top management and employees of Airbus and Korean Air. Mr. Tom Enders, Airbus President and CEO, was elated over yet another success story for the A380. "We are extremely proud to welcome Korean Air as the latest operator of the A380," he says. "The A380 has proven to be a game changer, setting new standards for comfort, economic efficiency and respect for the environment. We are confident that the A380 will play a key role in enabling Korean Air to further strengthen its position as one of the world's great airlines."

While Chairman of Korean Air's arrival was greeted with a standing ovation as he arrived at the ceremony, he says Korean Air is the first airline to purchase an Airbus aircraft outside of Europe, stating that the A380 will advance the airline's goal of becoming a respected and leading global carrier.

"As we enter this era of great service, we pledge to continue to set our standards high; to maintain our commitment to the environment; to complement great aircraft with great service; and to make our flights the kind that customers want to return to," he enthuses. Korean will be the first airline in the industry to have a 'Duty Free Showcase' on its new A380 aircraft.

Ms Mary Ellen Jones, CEO of Engine Alliance, which also powers the A380, says her company is always striving to provide improvements and engine support for successful airline operations.

Configured in a three-class layout with just 407 seats, the lowest configuration of any 380 operator so far, Korean Air's double-decker A380s feature unique amenities with 12 First Class Kosmo Suites and 301 Economy Class seats on the main deck and 94 fully lie-flat Prestige Sleeper seats in Prestige Class (business class) on the upper deck. The carrier is the first to devote an entire deck of the giant aircraft to one class, Korean Air says.

Airbus' thinking is that destinations would increase for the A380 in Africa especially in the longer-term. This growth would add to Johannesburg where Air France, Lufthansa, (and soon Emirates), have brought in the big bird. This reckoning rides on the back of strong traffic projections for the continent, in addition to the resilient global economy. West Africa and Southern Africa have become veritable destinations for the A380 given their traffic and medium- cum long-haul geographic positions relative to the origin of several Africa-focused A380 operators. With the on-going excitement over the comfort and luxury as well as efficiency and economics brought on by the A380, in addition to the obvious rise in traffic, several operators of the A380 may just be waiting for the necessary revamping of groundhandling infrastructure at West, Southern and perhaps East African airports, to take the large airplane there. Extending the A380 honeymoon to other parts of Africa may, therefore, be a matter of months. And Airbus has been on hand to advice on how airports can prepare for the A380. Even though Cairo's new Terminal 3 is yet to get an A380 customer apparently because it lies too close to European and Middle East hub operators, Lagos and Nairobi or Addis Ababa may get the A380 sooner. A380 is not about mega-airports; it fits into secondary airports; very versatile aircraft, Airbus is wont to say.

Airbus remarks also: With 129 airports visited worldwide the A380 has proven it can be operated in existing airport infrastructure with no or little modifications. Today more than 20 airports worldwide see A380 daily operations. On top of these, more than 50 airports are ready or getting prepared to accommodate the A380 and answer the airlines' need for more A380 destinations. As more aircraft get delivered to current and future operators, the A380 network will grow quickly."

In apparent response to passenger demand, a number of A380 operators have set the aircraft on services shorter than the expected long-haul delicacy of the ultra-large aircraft.

Airbus explains, however, that this is not a shot in the leg for such operators in terms of not maximizing the (full long haul-enabling) efficiencies of the A380 since the aircraft delivers efficiency, comfort and additional benefits even on the shorter-than-long-haul sectors.

Now Korean Air has joined the list of excited operators of the new aircraft, taking one out of ordered ten A380s in a decorative ceremony in Toulouse last May 25. And China Southern, Malaysian and Thai would continue the A380 honeymoon with first deliveries in the coming months.

To add to the honeymoon, perhaps, Airbus disclosed during a briefing in Toulouse that, "later this year, there will be online connectivity on the A380." How long the honeymoon will last will depend on how long equally operators' and passengers' excitement over the servings of the versatile aircraft will hold out. And indeed how much initial expectations would be fulfilled.

Airbus Anticipates Topped-Up Efficiency As A320neo Gears Up For 2015 Delivery

Though developing an aircraft that would deliver game-changing efficiencies and other benefits of current aircraft types is assumed near-impossible in the period up to 2025 or so, Airbus is committing to a step-change to bring greater efficiency to improve aircraft benefits to the environment, airlines passengers.

This is expressed in the A320neo expected to come into operation in the next four years.

The A320neo with its new engine options, will deliver improved efficiencies over the sharklet which is anticipated by 2012. Airbus says the A320neo Family incorporates new more efficient engines and large "Sharklet" wing tip devices which together will deliver up to 15 percent in fuel savings.

The A320neo will involve re-engining of the A320 with improvement initiatives to ensure a mature and reliable aircraft. Proven systems and an integrated way of working to secure industrialization and full ramp-up within 30 months also give Airbus confidence in driving the A320neo. Besides, the A320neo will see integration into the continuous timeline of the current A320 Family.

While the aviation industry generally is pursuing watershade improvements in aircraft efficiencies, the sharklet and the A320neo are expected the short- to medium-term answers to lingering ecological questions, among others.