Gellman

Many Airbus aircraft of other types (e.g. A320 series) have been sold in recent
years at below-cost prices for delivery during the early years of A380 production,
thus reducing Airbus’ ability to use profits from such aircraft to cover its
obligations to repay A380 launch aid.

As it attempts to reduce airframe weight, Airbus has increased the use of
expensive GLARE in the construction of the A380; it is adding the leading edges
of the vertical and horizontal stabilizers to the list of items made of GLARE. It
has also taken radical steps such as the introduction of aluminum wiring with
significant implications for A380 certification even while it reduces weight
marginally.