A380 - Is there a future? *

In the week when the last A380 was delivered to Emirates, OAG has taken an opportune moment to reflect on the return of the giant aircraft that less than two years ago appeared to be heading for the scrap yard, as far as most airlines were concerned.

Suddenly industry leaders are talking once again about the need for a very large aircraft type such as the A380 and for a multitude of reasons airlines are putting them back in the sky.

Air France, Malaysia Airlines and Thai Airways are all unlikely to bring the aircraft back into service, whilst the planned Korean Air and Asiana Airways merger will ensure some A380 services continue.

There are presently 129 A380s in service, out of 254 built and seven dismantled and scrapped according to FlightRadar.

The passengers love the Toulouse giant, the airlines less so. There are no pure cargo versions.

All Nippon Airways, Asiana Airlines, British Airways, China Southern Airlines, Emirates, Korean Air, Qantas, Qatar Airways and Singapore Airlines are the current operators and Lufthansa announced a change of policy and is bringing aircraft back for summer 2023.

Unless forces outside the airline industry have an effect, the A380 will be around for another 30 years at least.

www.airbus.com/en/products-services/commercial-aircraft/passenger-aircraft/a380

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OUR READERS' FINEST WORDS (All times and dates are GMT)

All comments are filtered to exclude any excesses but the Editor does not have to agree with what is being said. 100 words maximum

Andrew Sharp, St Albans

When I flew from LHR one morning recently, there were 5 BA A380s on stand which had just arrived.

Jilly Smith, Windsor

Airbus got it wrong with the A380. A cargo variant should have been offered from the start. The aircraft should have been assembled in Hannover, a much easier journey for the wings from Chester, and if it had not been for Emirates it would have died a long time ago. A great aeroplane to fly and work in, the opposite of Concorde in that respect!