The sudden recovery in air travel has given the cavernous jets – often seating more than 500 people – a new lease of life.
Written off as an oversized anachronism when COVID-19 upended aviation, the world’s largest passenger plane is enjoying an unlikely revival to handle anMany airlines struggled to see a future for their enormous Airbus SE A380s when the pandemic grounded fleets in early 2020.
As international travel returns, the A380’s carrying ability is validating – at least for now – the massive bet by its No. 1 buyer Emirates and proving useful for carriers such as Qantas that did not permanently turn their backs on the giant plane.
The A380’s appeal to airlines has always been limited. It found no buyers in the US, Latin America or Africa, for instance. Should the surge in travel demand fade and oil prices stay elevated, carriers like British Airways may struggle to justify running partially full, four-engined A380s. The arrival of newer, fuel-efficient aircraft would once again pose an existential threat to the superjumbo.
Air France-KLM’s French arm is happy to have pulled its 10 A380s from service in 2020, two years earlier than initially planned, avoiding a refurbishment bill of about €400 million euros , Anne Rigail, who heads the division, said in Paris on Thursday.“The costs were so high that it was in our interest to move to new-generation planes that are more fuel efficient,” she said. “The A380s were put on the most important routes but were pretty complicated to fill.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Two teens fighting for life, another seriously injured in ‘stolen’ car crash in QueenslandTwo boys are fighting for their lives after an allegedly stolen car crashed west of Brisbane. 7NEWS
Read more »
Anti-LGBTQ+ attacks by US extremist groups surge as right spews vitriolAnti-trans politics spurred by lawmakers and far-right news outlets has renewed fears over community’s safety
Read more »
Tension over energy crisis plan as ESB backs coal and gas back-upThe Energy Security Board warns that Victoria in particular faces “renewable drought” blackouts without a well-functioning “capacity mechanism”.
Read more »
Macron’s centrist grouping to lose absolute majority in parliament, say projected resultsGains by new left alliance and historic surge by the far right cast uncertainty over Macron’s second term
Read more »
Macron’s centrist grouping loses absolute majority in parliamentGains by new French left alliance and historic surge by far right cast uncertainty over Macron’s second term
Read more »
UN urged to impose travel ban on Taliban leadership over oppression of womenCampaigners say curtailing of women’s rights in Afghanistan means Trump-era waiver must be removed
Read more »