The Airbus was created for a hub system that is collapsing. Yes, for that UAE airlines the hub system works really well and simply as an accident of geography and some wise investment it will continue to work for them right up unit the Tribulation/Great Tribulation is underway.
The collapse of the hub system is inherently one caused by the fact that two engine planes can now service routes for what used to require (practically, not just legally) more engines.
Moreover, Airbus though was doomed because it was not designed to be from the start a cargo hauler the way the 747 was. It could have been a magnificent cargo hauler. But it’s not. The 747 as a sky truck will be nearly immortal as planes go the way the B52 has been.
“not designed to be from the start a cargo hauler the way the 747 was”
Why is the A380 difficult to convert to a cargo plane?
If I remember correctly, the 747 was originally designed as a heavy lift hauler for the Air Force in competition with the Lockheed’ C-5. Once Boeing lost the contract, they made the 747 into an airliner.
FedEx was going to buy some and even built a hangar in Memphis for it. It didn’t work out and now Fred’s big jet is the 777. They cram one of those, an MD10 and an A300 or 767 in that hangar nowadays.
[right up (until) the Tribulation/Great Tribulation is underway]
Thank you for mentioning that. Seeing all the stuff we’ve seen these last couple of weeks is pretty wild.