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A Dublin-based aircraft-leasing company plans to offer airline-style services for hire using a fleet of Airbus A380 superjumbos in a bid to breathe new life into the struggling passenger jet programme.
Amedeo, one of the world"™s largest lessors of A380 aircraft with 12 jets under management and a further 20 on order, is planning to offer seats to existing carriers or new disruptive entrants such as Airbnb from 2022. The leasing company, formerly part of Doric Lease, plans to apply for an air operator"™s licence next year.
Mark Lapidus, Amedeo chief executive, believes that the air transport industry is ripe for disruption, with aircraft ownership and operation likely to become secondary to the brand-led services, price and convenience that airlines or others can offer to passengers.
"The airline business is commoditising in all classes," Mr Lapidus said. "Joint ventures and code shares are making passengers feel accustomed to buying tickets with one [airline] but flying with another."
He is proposing to offer space on the world"™s biggest passenger aircraft to a club of airlines and non-traditional aviation players, who would retain control over sale and distribution of tickets, but use his cabin crew to deliver an in-flight service tailored to their standards…
