We all remember COVID, or do we? Perhaps it is a dim memory and best forgotten!
In any case, as we all know, COVID devastated airlines globally; once COVID was over, global airlines worked very hard to get their fleets airworthy again, but it took QANTAS until December 2025 to get its final and tenth stored Airbus A380 back in service.
I am told and I don’t know if it is true, that amongst the reasons is because QANTAS placed their A380’s in a type of “cold layup” for six years in the USA whereas other airlines placed their fleets in a warm layup, with very interestingly practically all Singapore Airlines’ fleet stored in Australia in Alice Springs, leaving no room for QANTAS apparently and Emirates’ 120 or so A380s all stored in Dubai and ready for service when given the green light, with them all operating currently, except for a couple of disposals,
The final QANTAS A380 back in service is reported to have required around 100,000 hours of work to return to service, at a massive cost.
What is also interesting is that QANTAS has announced that they will begin disposing of their ten A380s in 2028, four years ahead of their previous date, therefore now only two years away,, with it appears QANTAS putting all their long haul eggs firmly in the smaller ultra long haul aircraft basket of the A350 and B787 with significantly smaller loads and seats, much longer flights and it is imagined significantly higher prices.
In any case, some strange decisions at QANTAS appear to leave the very popular large A380 aircraft, with popular stopovers, the market from Australia open to airlines like Emirates, Etihad, and Singapore Airlines, possibly at QANTAS’ expense?
By: John Alwyn-Jones – © 2026.
Read Time: 2 minutes.
Author Bio:
John Alwyn-Jones is one of those rare figures who can make the business of travel sound positively adventurous.
A lifelong communicator with the polish of a broadcaster and the curiosity of a journalist, he’s spent decades shaping stories and strategies across tourism, aviation, and the cruise world. He’s led from the front as CEO, director, mentor, and advisor, and still brings warmth and wit to every boardroom and microphone.
Known for his sharp insight into global cruise lines and destinations, John has an old-school belief in professionalism, tempered with the sparkle of someone who’s genuinely seen the world. He’s not just in the business of travel; he’s made it an art form.
