Emirates has retired Airbus A380s for the first time. Two aircraft are
parked at Al Maktoum Airport (DWC), where they are dismantled to deliver
spare parts for the rest of the fleet.
 
More A380s will follow in the coming years. Because Emirates still expects
eleven new Superjumbo's to be delivered, the A380 fleet will rise to 115 in
the short term (110 now, excluding the retired planes), but after that the
number will drop to between 90 and 100 aircraft in 2025.
 
However, lovers of the double-deck Airbus do not have to worry too much.
"The A380 will remain an important part of our fleet for at least
fifteen years," said Tim Clark to FlightGlobal.
 
Because Emirates hardly ever employs new A380s, it has been decided not to
install the new First Class product in the aircraft. From November next
year, the company will offer Premium Economy in the Superjumbo.
 
Emirates is the second company that sends A380s into retirement, after
Singapore Airlines previously said goodbye to five. Part of it has been
demolished due to a lack of demand on the second-hand market.
 
The Singapore Airlines aircraft were only ten years old when they retired.
Clark has not disclosed how old the A380s are that are now being taken
apart at Al Maktoum Airport, but that cannot be more than eleven years.

--- D'Bridge 3.99