From 1997 to 2000, as the East Asian financial crisis darkened the market outlook, Airbus refined its design, targeting a 15–20% reduction in operating costs over the existing Boeing 747–400.
Dende 1997 ata 2000, cando a crise financeira en Oriente Medio escureceu as perspectivas do mercado, Airbus refinou o seu deseño, centrándose nunha redución de entre o 15 e o 20% dos custos de operación sobre o Boeing 747-400.