Airbus Pitches A380 Jumbo Role Serving Mecca’s Millions
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The Airbus Group NV A380 known for first-class suites, gold trimmings and deep-pile carpets faces a less luxurious future as a pilgrimage shuttle that may help revive flagging sales of the superjumbo.
The double-decker flagship, priced at $414 million, could swap fine wines, bone china and lobster salads for narrow seats and more frugal service as Airbus pitches the jet as ideally suited to become a workhorse for the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca.