In September 2026, the last Airbus A380 from Etihad Airways that had been stored in Tarbes, France, returned to operational status and flew to Abu Dhabi. This event marked the complete reactivation of Etihad’s fleet of nine surviving superjumbos, after a period of lengthy storage due to pandemic disruptions. The aircraft, registered A6-APB, had been stored since December 2020, when the airline withdrew it from service amid the global travel downturn.
Reactivation involved approximately eight months of intensive work at TARMAC Aerosave’s facility in Tarbes, including engine inspections, systems flushing, and corrosion checks. Despite the long storage, the aircraft was prepared for flight and subsequently underwent further heavy maintenance in Abu Dhabi before resuming commercial operations.
Context and Implications
The return of A6-APB signifies broader industry trends. During the pandemic, Etihad stored all ten of its A380s, considering them uneconomical. However, with renewed demand for long-haul travel and limited availability of new widebodies, carriers such as Emirates, British Airways, and Singapore Airlines are reactivating older aircraft, highlighting the A380’s renewed relevance in certain markets.
"For as long as they can. They will be flying at least until 2032,"
Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad Airways, told aeroTELEGRAPH.
The A380 programme, initially seen as a commercial failure due to limited sales, has surprisingly found a niche in the current market environment. As some airlines refurbish existing fleets, others continue to operate and even expand their A380 operations, showing the aircraft’s resilience and adaptability in a changing industry landscape.
