By Lewis Harper2021-04-15T13:06:00+01:00
Already a luxury of debatable value to many operators before the crisis, the A380 appears even less well-suited to a market featuring depressed travel demand and a focus on cargo
The Airbus A380’s fall from favour among its limited group of operators has been unceremonious, to say the least.
Already considered on borrowed time at many airlines before the global pandemic devastated international air travel markets, the double-decker’s demise has only been accelerated by events over the past 12 months.
Granted, dozens of Boeing 747s are similarly heading for retirement sooner than expected, but none of those departing -400s could be described as young. In contrast, the superjumbo’s exit is supercharged: the A380’s exodus from airline fleets is being discussed less than 15 years after its first commercial flight, with many examples barely reaching double figures in terms of age.