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Did the coronavirus kill the super jumbo jet? Ninety percent of the 550-passenger Airbus A380s worldwide are affected by a pandemic and could be out of service for “years” or forever
- At the beginning of December only 21 of 243 Airbus A380s were still in use
- Production is slated to cease in 2021 due to a lack of business with the exception of Emirates
- In the main disruption of the pandemic, only 13,600 flights were made in 24 hours in April
According to a new study, the world’s largest passenger jet could retire early as demand plummeted during the coronavirus pandemic.
Over 90 percent of the A380s – nicknamed “superjumbos” – have spent the past nine months on the ground, and it is unclear when or if they will be back in the air.
According to Cirium, the aeronautical data company, only 21 of 243 Airbus A380s were left in service earlier this month amid concerns about rising costs and low passenger demand.
All airlines and airports saw huge flight losses, and many had to cancel as countries closed their borders at the start of the pandemic.
Another three have been retired. The figures do not include the figures held by Airbus as a test aircraft.
The world’s largest passenger jet could take early retirement due to the sharp drop in demand during the pandemic. Over 90 percent of the A380s have spent the past nine months on the ground
Air France was the first airline to finally withdraw the superjumbo, accelerating the plan to retire its 10 A380s early by the end of 2022.
Lufthansa has withdrawn all A380s and single-story A340-600s from future plans across the border in Germany.
Singapore Airlines, the second largest operator of the type, has decided to permanently withdraw seven of its 19 A380s in storage due to the crisis.
Qatar Airways, meanwhile, doesn’t expect the 10 A380s in storage to return for at least two years, and Etihad Airways, another Middle East operator with a 10-strong fleet, said it was waiting for a satisfactory appetite for a reassessment [the A380’s] Viability’.
According to Cirium, the aeronautical data company, only 21 of 243 Airbus A380s were left in service earlier this month amid concerns ab
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