After more than three years in storage, the first of Etihad Airways’ Airbus A380s will return to revenue service on Tuesday, July 25.
The airline from the United Arab Emirates intends to reactivate four of the 10 A380s in its fleet, reestablishing important connections such as the flight from Abu Dhabi to London (Heathrow).
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Etihad will become the 10th airline to resume flying the double-deck aircraft, which took a huge hit during the pandemic.
Low demand on long-distance routes led to the A380 being stored and some examples even being scrapped due to lack of economic viability to operate them.
But the situation has changed in recent times, thanks to the reheating of the market, which has made airlines like Lufthansa rethink the retirement of the four-engine jet.
British Airways (10 aircraft), Singapore (10), Qatar (8), Qantas (7), Korean (5), Asiana (4), Lufthansa (2), All Nippon (2) and Emirates Airline, the jet’s largest customer, with 87 active units, currently fly the A380.
With the first Etihad A380, there will be 138 aircraft in service in addition to 64 parked, according to Planespotters.
For customers of the Middle Eastern carrier, the return of the A380 will mean access to a larger-capacity aircraft, with 486 seats in four classes, including The Residence, a suite with uncommon refinements in air travel.
