Air France has announced the withdrawal of the 9 Airbus A380 aircraft from operational service. Initial, the withdrawal process of Air France A380 aircraft it was scheduled in several stages. The first left the fleet in November 2019, and all 9 will be phased out by 2022.
But the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has led the French carrier to give up superjumbo right now. The last commercial Air France flights, which were operated with the A380, were to Mexico City (March 22); Abu Dhabi (April 22); Los Angeles (March 20, 21, 22); Johannesburg (12, 22 March and 23 March); Miami (March 22)
The early withdrawal of A380 aircraft and their depreciation in Air France-KLM accounts will result in a loss of EUR 500 million. The superjumbo will be replaced with next generation aircraft, including the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787.
The decision should also help Air France meet its carbon targets. These condition the obtaining of state aid amounting to 7 billion euros from France. The company is committed to reducing CO50 emissions / passenger / kilometer by 2% between 2005 and 2030.
This is how a plane loved and appreciated by passengers came to be withdrawn from commercial service so quickly. Unfortunately, the A380 era came to an end when production stopped. Airbus has abandoned the A380 project. Moreover, it was the plane with 4 engines a apus. Airlines are abandoning the famous A380, Boeing 747 and A340 models for much more efficient, more efficient and even more comfortable aircraft such as the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350. In the end, 2 engines consume less than 4 engines.