<P> Airbus consistently forecast 1,400 VLA demand over 20 - year, still in 2017, and aimed to secure a 50% share, up to 700 units, but delivered 215 aircraft in 10 years, achieving three produced per month but not the four per month target after the ramp - up to achieve more than 350 and is now declining to 0.5 a month . As Boeing see the VLA market as too small to retain in its 2017 forecast, its VP marketing Randy Tinseth don't believe Airbus will deliver the rest of the backlog . </P> <P> Richard Aboulafia predicts a 2020 final delivery, with unpleasant losses due to "hubris, shoddy market analysis, nationalism and simple wishful thinking". In 2017, the A380 fleet overtook the passengers B747s, declining from 740 aircraft when the A380 was launched in 2000 to 550 units at the A380 introduction in 2007, and around 200 ten years after while the combined fleet of A380s and 747s passenger jumbos is 430, the market - share battle having shifted to large single - aisles and 300 - seat twin - aisles . </P> <P> As of 2016 the list price of an A380 is US $432.6 million . Negotiated discounts made the actual prices much lower, and industry experts questioned whether the A380 project would ever pay for itself . The first aircraft was sold - and - leased - back by Singapore Airlines in 2007 to Dr. Peters for $197 million . In 2016, IAG's Willie Walsh said he could add a few but find its price new "outrageous" and would source then from the second - hand market . </P> <P> AirInsight estimates its hourly cost at $26,000, or around $50 per seat hour (for 520 seats), which compares to $44 per seat hour for a Boeing 777 - 300ER, and $90 per seat hour for a Boeing 747 - 400 as of November 2015 . As it has very large wing and tail surfaces to allow a stretch and a high empty weight per seat, its cost - per - seat advantage eroded, and the A350 - 1000 and 777 - 9 will match it . </P>

What is the cost of an airbus a380