Even with more A380s still to be delivered by Airbus, Emirates Airways is starting to retire the oldest ones in its fleet, the world's largest group of the super-jumbos.
Emirates was perhaps second only to Airbus in supporting the A380, but last year declined to order more, leading to a planned shutdown next year of the production line. But Emirates expects to fly large numbers of its over-100 A380s into the 2030s, although the numberrs will drop as it begins to get smaller but far more efficient A330s and A350s.
Tim Clark, Emirates president, told FlightGlobal that the retirements will be for "various reasons" and on "a tail-by-tail, month-by-month basis under a retirement (schedule) that is well planned already." Two planes have already been grounded and will be a source of spare parts.
A number of airlines flying less-efficient planes have chosen to retire them rather than upgrade cabins and engines to match newer planes. That has been a big factor in Air France's decision to retire its A380 fleet rather than install more up-to-date premium cabins.
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