Airbus Updates No.3588

 Qatar Airways Schedules A380 Services

In March 2022, Qatar Airways grounded its entire Airbus A380 fleet. The airline holds ten units of the quadjet, which haven’t hit the skies in over a year and a half. However, some members of the superjumbo fleet are expected to hit the air again before the year is over.

We may be seeing the A380 flying out of Doha in a couple of months. Photo: Qatar Airways

A major U-turn

For many, this move would seem like a notable swerve from the airline. The carrier’s leadership has repeatedly shared that it hadn’t had much faith in the superjumbo in the new climate. Management has even expressed that the model is a thing of the past. Moreover, in May, CEO Akbar Al Baker told Simple Flying that the plane was the company’s biggest mistake.

Overall, the general consensus is that there were high hopes during the plane’s launch in the early 2000s, but the aviation industry had shifted significantly by the time the carrier entered regular service across the globe. More efficient twinjets such as the Airbus A350 and the Boeing 787 have become favorites among long-haul airlines. Subsequently, the pandemic is catalyzing the A380’s retirement. 

Regardless of the opinion on the jet, it was expected that Qatar Airways’ A380s wouldn’t return to action until at least 2022. There were some hopes of an earlier comeback this summer, with Al Baker hinting that five units could fly again after all. Still, last month, the airline shared that it had taken an impairment on all ten of its A380s.

Qatar Airways doesn’t hold as many A380s as some of its neighbors, so there is less at risk if the plane remains on the ground. Photo: Getty Images.

The schedule

According to Business Traveller, two A380 operations will be conducted between Doha and London Heathrow in December. There will also be another service between Doha and Paris CDG.

From December 15th, QR9 is scheduled to leave Doha at 01:50 and land in the capital of London at 06:50 the next day. QR6 is set to leave Heathrow at 08:00 to land in Qatar’s capital at 17:50.

QR3 will depart Doha at 07:40 before landing in London at 12:10. QR4 will then head back at 14:10 to land in Doha at 23:55.

Meanwhile, QR39 will leave Doha at 07:55 to land in Paris at 13:05. QR40 will then fly out of the capital of France at 15:05 to touch down in Doha at 23:30.

Never say never

This surprise return is more likely consequential than anything else. Qatar Airways recently grounded 16 A350s. This week, the carrier blamed composite cracks as the primary cause. 

Nonetheless, the A380 is seeing progress this month. For instance, Emirates operated its first passenger A380 service to Istanbul. Additionally, British Airways is rumored to fly the jet on short-haul trips to Frankfurt and Madrid, with the flag carrier of the United Kingdom returning four units of the type next month.

As air travel picks up again globally, carriers need to ensure that they have the right vessels to meet the ever-changing requirements. There will undoubtedly be more twists and turns in the A380’s story this decade.

Simple Flying reached out to Qatar Airways for comment on its Airbus A380 services. We will update the article with any further announcements from the carrier.