IAG's Walsh to Airbus: drop A380 price to boost sales

Airbus should lower the price of its A380 jetliner if it wants to sell more of them, IAG CEO Willie Walsh said Friday, adding that the airline group would consider additional aircraft if the price was right. Walsh’s comments come as Dubai’s Emirates is exploring switching A380 orders to smaller aircraft in a move that raises doubts about the future of the superjumbo, people familiar with the matter said on Thursday. “I’ve been very clear with Airbus that if they want to sell the aircraft, they’re going to have to be very aggressive on the price,” Walsh said. Airbus is trying to broker a deal for Emirates, the largest customer, to switch some A380 that are already on order to the smaller A350 in a move likely to trigger a shutdown in production of the slow-selling superjumbo, sources said Thursday. That would be part of a broader package to end an impasse between Emirates and Rolls Royce over terms for engine support and could involve salvaging as many sales as possible to a handful of airlines still interested in buying the plane. Industry sources say Airbus is in talks with BA on the A380. Walsh said that IAG was in talks with Airbus and Boeing to get more wide-body aircraft to replace 747s that are due to be retired in the coming years. “Those discussions are ongoing... and we’re pleased to have the choice of excellent aircraft,” Walsh said. IAG’s BA currently operates 12 A380s. Walsh said he was committed to the A380s which the group already operates, and that IAG might consider some additional aircraft if the price was right.<br/>