For most of the past year, it seemed like the Airbus A380 was doomed because
of the global health crisis. At one point, there were no A380s flying!
Moreover, operators such as Air France and Lufthansa retired their units.
However, despite the mass groundings, the superjumbo is seeing a positive twist of fate...
The pandemic catalyzed retirements of the A380 due
to long-haul travel being the most affected market segment in aviation.
Nonetheless, with passenger activity picking up again largely thanks to vaccination efforts
and easing border restrictions, airlines are beginning to take another look at their options
with the A380. Let’s look at the status of the aircraft with each of its operators...
In mid-October ANA took on its third and final Airbus A380. The Japanese carrier
deploys the type primarily between Tokyo Narita and Honolulu. While restrictions were in place,
it used its existing units on special tours around Japan.
Over in Europe, British Airways is preparing short-haul A380 trips to
Frankfurt and Madrid in November to get crews familiar with the plane again.
The airline is bringing back four of its 12 units next month.
Going back to Asia, China Southern presently has four of its five units in the skies.
These jets have been flying from Guangzhou to the likes of Melbourne,
Los Angeles, and Amsterdam in recent weeks.
Emirates was continuing to take deliveries of the A380 during the peak months of the pandemic.
As the largest operator of the A380, Emirates presently has over 40 of its 120 units active.
If all goes according to schedule, in December,
the carrier will take delivery of the last A380 ever built.
Interestingly, Korean Air is merging with compatriot Asiana Airlines. Therefore, the flag
carrier of South Korea will have another six A380s to think about on top of its existing 10 units.
The airline has previously stated that it plans to let go of the model within five years.
Qantas has 12 A380s in its holdings. While all of these are grounded due
to Australia’s strict border policy during the pandemic,
Qantas previously stated that it plans to reactivate its fleet of superjumbos.
This summer, the carrier noted that the A380 will fly for many years to come.
Qatar Airways has been one of the more interesting cases when it comes to the A380.
The airline announced a surprise return for the A380, scheduling it on services before the end
of the year. In recent months, management had shared that the plane was a thing of the past
and its biggest mistake. Yet, the flag carrier of Qatar now highlights that in order to alleviate
the current fleet challenges amid the grounding of several A350s, the A380 is being brought back.
Singapore Airlines has been removing units from storage in recent months.
However, a few of its retired ones have been sent for dismantlement recently.
Nonetheless, the airline is been bringing back A380s for vaccine lane flights as well
as for a daily service to Kuala Lumpur- a flight that lasts less than an hour!
Unfortunately, it looks like the A380 is gone for Malaysia Airlines,
Thai Airways, and most likely Etihad.
Altogether, there is now notable progress with the A380, with passengers increasingly
returning to the air as governments start to open borders and loosen travel restrictions.
Even though there is an optimistic pattern emerging in the short term,
the A380 is still on its way out of the industry as carriers prioritize fuel efficiency
and lower emissions. With stakeholders looking at long-term, efficient solutions, the gas-guzzling
quad jet is finding it hard to have a role in this next stage. Other than with Emirates
and its plethora of units, it will be hard to spot the A380 by the time this decade is over.
What are your thoughts about the Airbus A380? Are you hoping to fly on the plane again? Let
us know what you think of the superjumbo and its prospects in the industry by leaving a comment.