The airplane maker Airbus plans to cease production of its famous A380 aircraft. It is the world's largest passenger airplane. When it was launched 12 years ago, people said it was the future of aviation. However, changes in how people fly mean the days of four-engine passenger planes are over. Airbus decided to stop production of the 544-seat A380 because of falling sales. The end came when Dubai's Emirates Airlines cut its A380 order by 39 planes. Airbus will stop building the A380 in 2021. There will be big job losses at companies that help make the plane.
The A380 first flew in April 2005. The British Prime Minister Tony Blair called it a "symbol of economic strength". Spain's leader said the plane was "a dream". The plane was designed to help cut the number of planes at busy airports. However, increased air travel means there is more demand for twin-engine planes that can fly non-stop to where people want to go. Four-engine planes usually require passengers to change at hub airports. An Emirates spokesperson said the A380 was a "passenger magnet". He said the plane was badly marketed by other airlines.