In September, Air France announced that they would be retiring their A380s. When the A380s are retired from July 2020 onwards. But what will happen to these retired A380s?
In September, we covered the A380 in our Aircraft Digest series. In that article we talked about how Air France was planning to retire its A380 fleet. As of yet, there is no clear path that could be taken in regards to the future of retired A380s.
What will likely happen to the retired A380s?
A380 private jet, this is a likely outcome, simply due to the space that the A380 has. The 747 has become a staple of business aviation, just as, say, the G650 has. The A380 has already made for a great private jet, indeed one of the most luxurious in the world! I could quite easily see that the retired A380s could become private jets for other princes, kings and billionaires!
Broken up for parts, this is a likely outcome, and has already happened to two retired A380s. As the A380 didn’t sell particularly well, it’s unlikely that they will be kept, and cannibalised by the airlines. It’s likely that the aircraft will sit, and be slowly taken apart, with each piece being sold on for various purposes.
Aircraft Graveyard, this could happen during the time the A380s are broken up for parts, or entirely separately. As a general rule, when aircraft are retired from service with an airline, they are sent to the Arizona Desert to stand until they are sold. The aircraft do not rust due to dry and humid climate in the desert, which means that there is a lack of moisture in the air.
Sold on, this would see large airlines sell these aircraft on to smaller airlines. Although this is an unlikely outcome, it is still a possibility that some medium sized airlines may buy retired A380s to use on high-popularity flights. It’s also possible that the retired aircraft could be used as replacements for less fuel efficient 747s.
Museum exhibit, it’s safe to say that the A380 is a behemoth, and it would make for a great museum exhibit. Just like the Concorde, the A380 is an icon in its own right, even if it was a commercial flop. The A380 was the first fully double-deck aircraft, and an aircraft like that would make for a great exhibit about the Hub-and-Spoke Theory and double-deck aircraft.
Training aircraft, this one is also highly unlikely, but it is a possibility that retired A380s could be used to train new pilots who will go onto fly the 747, as the flight characteristics (ie. the handling of the aircraft of the aircraft) are quite similar (except the control column).
Airshow display aircraft, the A380 may not be the most maneuverable aircraft, but it certainly has a roar. At airshows like the NBAA or Farnborough, or even RIAT, the A380 would be great for demonstration purposes. The A380 would also make for a great static display aircraft, demonstrating the role of the A380, but also showing it off to new people who have maybe never seen an A380 before.
For advertising purposes, traditional TV or Newspaper may not be working as efficiently as they once did, but newer forms of advertising have appeared. Banner Ads for large businesses could display the A380 in that company’s colours. This would also work to promote general aviation, as well as a traditional business, whether that is Coca-Cola, Pepsi or another non-aviation company.
Charter aircraft, for many retired commercial aircraft, they make for great charter aircraft! I was recently looking on a few charter aircraft companies, they all offered large aircraft such as the 747 to be chartered. I could see that once the retired A380s hit the secondary market, charter companies woild buy them up, refurbush them, and charter them out. These aircraft would make for a great power statement for any businessman or vacationer!
Nothing, this is again highly unlikely, and would require something devastating to happen in the industry, but it is a possible outcome. This has happened before with aircraft slated to be retired, which then are required to stay as a part of the airline’s fleet. This could see the as yet, slated A380s, could remain part of the fleets of the various airlines that currently operate them.
What does an A380 pilot believe is the most likely outcome?
We managed to meet a former A380 pilot, we sat down with him, and showed him a draft of this article, we asked him which he would see as the most likely outcome. His response was rather quick and quit affirmative:
Definitely the Aircraft Graveyeard/Boneyard, whilst I would love to see the A380 take to skies under different colours, I can’t see that happening. Which would be a real shame, I loved flying the A380, and I’m sure that every other A380 pilot is the same. It would really mean a lot for someone/ some company to fly the A380 after it has been retired. I don’t care which way it is, whether it’s privately, for charters, but I’d love to see them at airshows!
I hope you enjoyed this article on what will happen to the retired A380s, which solution do you think will happen? Which would you like to see happen to the retired A380s? Do you think I missed any other possible outcomes for teh retired A380s? Tell me in the comments.