Who still operates the A380: Here's where the giant of the skies flies
The evolution of air fleets is constant, and as time goes by, spare parts become absolutely necessary. We also live in an era [...]
The evolution of airline fleets is constant, and as time passes, replacement parts become absolutely necessary. We also live in an age of increasing concern for the environment, which is pushing all carriers to change the way they fly. Thus there are models that have reached their own expiration date. One of these is the'A380. It has certainly not disappeared from the skies, but there are not as many of them as there were in the past. Let's find out Who still flies this Airbus.
The return of the A380
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The emergence of Covid-19 has been a game changer in the travel world. Carriers found themselves "betting," following different paths depending on their predictions of the near-term future. Difficult, then, to imagine the scenarios from one year to the next.
That is why it is surprising to a certain extent that the A380 superjumbo has returned to the skies in huge numbers. While it is true that Emirates has continued to focus on this model in 2021, after the drama of 2020, many carriers have decided to let these giants of the skies stay on the ground.
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As of late 2021 and early 2022, one-third of the global A380 fleet has been reactivated. Many wondered whether in fact Emirates would remain the only airline to continue on this path. The end of the superjumbo seemed near, but instead the figures of recent months say otherwise. Week after week, in fact, carriers relying on the Airbus 380 seem to be increasing. As of January 2022, there were as many as eight the important companies flying with these giants:
- Emirates, 34 routes currently operate
- British Airways, 6 routes
- China Southern, 1 route
- Qantas, 1 route
- Qatar Airways, 4 routes
- Korean Airways, 1 route
- Singapore Airlines, 6 routes
- All Nippon Airlines, 1 route
Looking at the scenario as a whole, 79 A380 aircraft were reactivated in the first part of this year, while as many as 254 were assembled. Excluding those destined for scrapping, about 33% of the global fleet is currently in service.
Emirates and A380
As mentioned, it is Emirates to lead the group of airlines that have decided to continue to focus on this model. A total of 121 superjumbos are at its disposal. A figure that makes their fleet the largest in the world for this specific type of vehicle. To date, the carrier owns about half of the models built. Its percentage of A380 in the air is well above the average for the travel sector. Of the total indicated, 60 are in operation, which means 61 are grounded, at least for the time being. It will be the last company to dispose of them: they are expected to fly the A380 until about 2035. Impossible for it not to look to the future, considering how just in December the last jets were delivered.
What about the other carriers? To date, only two airlines have definitely closed the A380 chapter. It is Air France e Thai Airways as well as Hi Fly (which, however, had only 1 plane, bought used), while Lufthansa is still thinking about what to do with its fleet. Those who have the aircraft in their fleet are waiting to decide what to do with it like Etihad and Malaysian.
