Asia-Pacific airlines are gradually reactivating A380s – although many will not return

Airbus A380s have been a rare sight in Asia-Pacific skies over the past few years, but the recent surge in international demand has resulted in more airlines bringing A380s out of storage.

Airlines grounded most of their widebody fleets when the COVID-19 crisis hit in early 2020.

A380s being the largest aircraft in operation, and therefore the hardest to fill, virtually all A380s in the Asia-Pacific region were put into long term storage. A380s have been among the slowest of the widebody models to return, but now many of the region's airlines are gradually reactivating these aircraft.

The A380 fleet is steadily rebuilding, although it will not fully return to its pre-pandemic size. Some Asia-Pacific airlines have decided to cut down, or even phase out, their A380 fleets as a result of restructuring and strategic reviews during the COVID-19 crisis.