Airbus A380 News: Plane Maker Markets Jumbo Jet to NYC Analysts and Investors

Airbus is back on the renting block with the plane maker's A380 jet, a day after Emirates Airlines canceled a $16 billion order for 70 A350's.

According to Bloomberg, the company taught analysts and investors in New York City about the plane's different aspects in an attempt to sway the business gurus into placing an order. The visit included a flight above the Big Apple.

A purchase would be the first in a tough United States market for plane transcations. Transport company chief executive Mark Lapidus, interested in leasing out 20 of the jets, said he's had zero luck since he bought the planes in 2013 for $8 billion.

"This is the hardest place to make the case, and we are keen to address it here," Lapidus said in comments e-mailed to Bloomberg.

The vice president of Fairfax, Va., advisory firm the Teal Group told Bloomberg it has taken Airbus over a decade to find a customer for the aircraft.

"Airbus has been trying to sell the A380 for 14 years now, with minimal success outside Emirates," Richard Aboulafia said.

An analyst at London's Societe Generale wanted to know if renting options were available, Bloomberg reported.

"Is this plane really something that you can lease?" Zafar Khan said. "The original concept for the A380 was this kind of bespoke flagship, highly customized cabins for each and every airline. They're trying now to make it all things to all men. It remains to be seen whether this works."

The A380 has 525 people throughout a two deck concept. Airlines in Europe, the Middle East, Australia, and Asia have already placed orders for the jumbo fuselage.

Emirates in Airbus's largest A380 customer, according to Bloomberg. The airline purchased 50 jets in 2007 according to The Telegraph. This included, A350-900s, and 20 A350-1000s.

Real Time Analytics