The world’s largest passenger jet is finally getting a second life.
On August 1 a 10-year-old, Airbus A380 formerly flown by Singapore Airlines will enter service with a new carrier, said Paulo Mirpuri, chief executive of aircraft lessor Hi Fly. He said he has two candidates interested in flying the refurbished, 471-seat, jumbo jet: a large European airline seeking its first A380 for flights across the North Atlantic, and an East Asian carrier that already has a fleet of the double-decker.
“We believe there is quite strong potential for the A380,” Mr Mirpuri said. “It is a good aircraft for high-density airports where slots are restricted and cannot easily be added. Our clients want an aircraft that’s able to fly more passengers.” A decision is due next week on which of the customers, whom he declined to name, will receive the plane.
Hi Fly’s leasing deal would extend the usefulness of a plane that has been popular with travellers but has become an embarrassment for Airbus since it was introduced 10 years ago. As the plane maker and rival Boeing introduced twin-engine wide-bodies, interest in the the fuel-thirsty, four-engine A380 has stalled and airlines are eager to upgrade. While jetliners usually fly for more than 25 years, often in the second-hand market, A380 buyers risk holding ageing jets that no one wants. That makes it hard to get the most from a plane that lists today for almost $450 million.
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Read more:
German firm to strip two A380s returned by Singapore Airlines
Boeing 747s take unexpected detour on way to the scrapyard
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The A380 suffered an indignity last month when German investment fund Dr Peters said it will would send two planes to the scrapyard after just a decade in service, failing after a year to find new operators. The jets are parked in the foothills of the French Pyrenees, where they will be filleted and sold for parts. Like the Hi Fly plane, they are from a batch of five leased to Singapore Air that the carrier is replacing.
Hi Fly will lease its A380, the only one it has, and provide it with crews and insurance to airlines that have short-term needs. That can be from a month, to be used when other planes are out for maintenance, to two years, while a carrier waits for the delivery of factory-fresh aircraft. The Portugal-based lessor will need to find several clients over the next six years to get the most out of its plane.
Hi Fly wants to add more A380s to its line-up of 20 twin-aisle jets, Mr Mirpuri said. It plans to also offer a high-density layout with about 800 economy seats plus a small business class, providing almost double the capacity of some older Boeing 747-400s in a newer plane with an equivalent operating cost.
“We do believe in the second life of the A380. If you expect 25 years of operation, this aircraft has passed just over one-third of its commercial life,” he said. Costs for airlines leasing older A380s will be reasonable, “while still allowing for a decent margin for Hi Fly”.
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
EMIRATES'S%20REVISED%20A350%20DEPLOYMENT%20SCHEDULE
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Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
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If you go:
The flights: Etihad, Emirates, British Airways and Virgin all fly from the UAE to London from Dh2,700 return, including taxes
The tours: The Tour for Muggles usually runs several times a day, lasts about two-and-a-half hours and costs £14 (Dh67)
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is on now at the Palace Theatre. Tickets need booking significantly in advance
Entrance to the Harry Potter exhibition at the House of MinaLima is free
The hotel: The grand, 1909-built Strand Palace Hotel is in a handy location near the Theatre District and several of the key Harry Potter filming and inspiration sites. The family rooms are spacious, with sofa beds that can accommodate children, and wooden shutters that keep out the light at night. Rooms cost from £170 (Dh808).
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Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
THE SPECS
Jaguar F-Pace SVR
Engine: 5-litre supercharged V8
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Power: 542bhp
Torque: 680Nm
Price: Dh465,071