In a move that reflects deep pessimism about the recovery of long-haul routes to Australia, Qantas has retired the rest of its 747s early, and has parked its A380 fleet for at least the next three years.
The airline's smaller long-haul craft including 787s and A350s are starting to phase back into service as some flights resume, but Qantas CEO Alan Joyce told press that "The A380s have to remain on the ground for at least three years until we see those international volumes brought back. The aircraft are being put in to the Mojave desert because its better for them to be sitting there. The environment protects the aircraft a lot more, and we have the intention, at the right time, to activate them."
It's quite possible, despite that, that the A380s may not return; many airlines have been dropping them because of their fuel consumption and the limited number of routes requiring so many seats. Qantas long-term plans have focused on planes such as the A350 extended range planes it plans to order for its Project Sunrise.
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