A380 future post-COVID-19

[Mark1966]

Well Qatar have virtually made up their mind

Qatar brings back four more A380s for Europe, Asia, Australia

Once earmarked for retirement, the well-appointed superjumbos are soaring again.

www.executivetraveller.com

... and Air France HAS made up its mind -

"Air France has announced it will immediately retire its Airbus A380 fleet following the impact of the COVID-19 crisis.


The airline was due to retire nine A380s from its fleet by 2022, however, the French flag carrier has brought this date forward. In a statement, the airline said: “In the context of the current COVID-19 crisis and its impact on anticipated activity levels, the Air France-KLM Group announces today the definitive end of Air France Airbus A380 operations.”

Air France Announces Immediate Retirement of A380 Fleet | AirlineGeeks.com

Air France has announced it will immediately retire its Airbus A380 fleet following the impact of the COVID-19 crisis. The airline was due to retire nine A380s from its fleet by 2022, however, the French flag carrier has brought this date forward. In a statement, the airline said: "In the...

airlinegeeks.com

 

[jase05]

Very sad as it’s my favourite aircraft but can understand the airlines scrapping them.
Will have to enjoy them while I can and before they become a distant memory

 

[p--and--t]

... and Air France HAS made up its mind -

"Air France has announced it will immediately retire its Airbus A380 fleet following the impact of the COVID-19 crisis.


The airline was due to retire nine A380s from its fleet by 2022, however, the French flag carrier has brought this date forward. In a statement, the airline said: “In the context of the current COVID-19 crisis and its impact on anticipated activity levels, the Air France-KLM Group announces today the definitive end of Air France Airbus A380 operations.”

Air France Announces Immediate Retirement of A380 Fleet | AirlineGeeks.com

Air France has announced it will immediately retire its Airbus A380 fleet following the impact of the COVID-19 crisis. The airline was due to retire nine A380s from its fleet by 2022, however, the French flag carrier has brought this date forward. In a statement, the airline said: "In the...

airlinegeeks.com

There is another thread with a growing list of casualties here

 

[moa999]

First EK white tail (though think this was planned before Covid)

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[OATEK]

Very sad as it’s my favourite aircraft but can understand the airlines scrapping them.
Will have to enjoy them while I can and before they become a distant memory

When we were boarding QF128, a 747, in HKG last September, the crew advised that this was thought to be the last scheduled flight for a 747 on that route. Little did I think that by the following June the likelihood of ever joining an A380 on this flight would diminish to the point of being highly unlikely given the possible halving of the QF fleet of these wide-bodies.

 

[Melburnian1]

When we were boarding QF128, a 747, in HKG last September, the crew advised that this was thought to be the last scheduled flight for a 747 on that route. Little did I think that by the following June the likelihood of ever joining an A380 on this flight would diminish to the point of being highly unlikely given the possible halving of the QF fleet of these wide-bodies.

Quite amazing is the difference in what is now the expected 'life' of many A380s compared to the Queen of the Skies.

Hard to intellectually process that a giant aircraft, normally pleasant to travel on, that from my first flight on one on SQ within a year of their launch could be 'brought down' by some 'invisible' virus.

 

[jase05]

Quite amazing is the difference in what is now the expected 'life' of many A380s compared to the Queen of the Skies.

Hard to intellectually process that a giant aircraft, normally pleasant to travel on, that from my first flight on one on SQ within a year of their launch could be 'brought down' by some 'invisible' virus.

I guess the question would be has the virus simply just sped up the process as it seems like most airlines were looking at phasing them out in the near future. Hopefully EK keeps theirs around for a bit longer

 

[p--and--t]

Hopefully EK keeps theirs around for a bit longer

Well they had had/have the largest fleet of A380s of all airlines. They have announced up to 50% of them will be retired this year or next. That still leaves quite a few.

Emirates upgrades A380s with fresh first class, business class

This tip-to-tail transformation will keep the double-deck jets flying “for the foreseeable future,” the airline says.

www.executivetraveller.com

 

[moa999]

EK still have frames awaiting delivery, including at least one with their new PE product

 

[p--and--t]

EK still have frames awaiting delivery, including at least one with their new PE product

If they take delivery. Reports they have been trying to cancel the order since March-ish

 

[Mrmaxwell]

A little birdy has advised that either a few QF a380's are already back in the country being prepped for Xmas flights or that a request to bring some back has been submitted.

Anyone know any details around this? Or have tracked such positioning flights occurring?

I know 'mid-2022' was the original target date so very curious about this...

 

[moa999]

little birdy has advised that either a few QF a380's are already back in the country

Not according to the flight tracking sites.
No movements in the last month.
9 in VCV
1 each in LAX, AUH and DRS.

 

[Mrmaxwell]

Not according to the flight tracking sites.
No movements in the last month.
9 in VCV
1 each in LAX, AUH and DRS.

Interesting. Apparently it takes up to 8 weeks to get them back online so they are cutting it fine if they want to have any flying for Xmas.

 

[jb747]

Interesting. Apparently it takes up to 8 weeks to get them back online so they are cutting it fine if they want to have any flying for Xmas.

I haven’t heard of any training starting up for them, so there might be issues getting anyone to fly more than one airframe. 787 is ramping up to some degree.

 

[Mrmaxwell]

ABC newsflash that QF are flying a380 from November 18 - has this been qualified/announced by QF?

 

[jb747]

ABC newsflash that QF are flying a380 from November 18 - has this been qualified/announced by QF?

No chatter on QF forums about anyone being stood up, or any training being done.

 

[flyer89]

No chatter on QF forums about anyone being stood up, or any training being done.

Still see two of the more senior blokes on the 380 (PP and GM) still driving buses around my local area so it’s just not that type of bus…..

 

[OATEK]

ABC newsflash that QF are flying a380 from November 18 - has this been qualified/announced by QF?

If it is correct, do you think it might the two that have been in maintenance, and so will be ready to go?

 

[jb747]

Still see two of the more senior blokes on the 380 (PP and GM) still driving buses around my local area so it’s just not that type of bus…..

GM? Greg?

 

[flyer89]

GM? Greg?

Correct.