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QATAR A380’S. WHAT HAPPENS NOW?

During the covid-19 pandemic the majority of the airlines operating the Airbus A380, including Qatar Airways, grounded the aircraft. But with travel demand increasing day by day and as countries loosen restrictions, we will have a look at the airlines plan for it’s A380 fleet.

A possible return in 2021?

Many sources have stated that Qatar’s fleet of A380’s wont be back flying until at the earliest; June 2021. This means that the aircraft will have to use smaller aircraft, compared to the A380 like the 777-300ER and the A350-1000, on routes that the aircraft would normally serve.

Credit-Instagram/@heathrow__planespotter

However Qatar airways have not decided the fate of its A380’s with the possibility that the airline could retire the aircraft early. Comments from CEO Akbar Al Baker suggest that the airline could be looking into an early retirement. He stated:

“Qatar Airways is parking it’s 10 A380’s and they will not return for at least a year, and maybe never.”

If the airline were to retire the A380 early it would not be the first airline to do so, and would be joining Lufthansa and Air France in doing so. Although the airline was due to retire the aircraft in 2024 to make way for the 777X, the fact that the airline has pushed back deliveries as far as 10 years may mean that the airline will hold on to its A380 fleet should a Vaccine be produced soon.

Have you ever flown on the Qatar A380? Do you think the aircraft should be retired yet? Let us know in the comments below.

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