Etihad Airways Confirms Reactivation of Two Additional Airbus A380s for 2026 and 2027
The Emirati airline is moving forward with its gradual reintroduction plan for the 'superjumbo,' detailing the return dates for two aircraft stored in France.
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, continues to show its confidence in the Airbus A380 by confirming the reactivation of two additional aircraft that have been in long-term storage since the beginning of the global health crisis.
The decision underscores a strategy contrary to that of operators like Air France, which opted for the permanent retirement of the model. Instead, Etihad is implementing a gradual and calculated return of its "superjumbo" fleet, driven by robust demand on its long-haul routes.
The aircraft set to rejoin the operational fleet are registered as A6-AFB (MSN 178) and A6-AFC (MSN 180). Both planes have been preserved at Tarbes-Lourdes Airport (LDE) in the Pyrenees region of France, a facility specializing in aircraft storage and maintenance.
According to information confirmed by aviation journalist Andreas Spaeth, the return of these giants already has a defined schedule. The A380 registered as A6-AFC is expected to return to the skies in June 2026, while the reactivation of A6-AFB is slated for January 2027.
How many A380s will Etihad operate again? Etihad plans to reactivate two additional A380s (A6-AFB and A6-AFC), which will join those already in service. This will increase its active A380 fleet, bringing it closer to the original fleet of ten aircraft, one of which was dismantled for spare parts.
Etihad Airways' original fleet consisted of ten Airbus A380s. One of these was decommissioned to serve as a source of spare parts, a tactic to ensure the operational sustainability of the remaining fleet.
Since the first Etihad A380 returned to commercial service in July 2023, the aircraft has been a mainstay on high-density routes such as Abu Dhabi (AUH) - London (LHR) and Abu Dhabi - New York (JFK). The positive reception from passengers, drawn by the spaciousness and exclusive products like "The Residence" and the "First Apartments," has been a key factor in the decision to once again expand the active fleet of this model.
The reintroduction of these two aircraft aligns with the recovery of the global aviation market and persistent supply chain delays in the manufacturing of new aircraft, which has led several airlines, such as Lufthansa and Qantas, to reconsider the strategic value of the A380.
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