As the coronavirus tightened its grip during mid-2020, airlines became increasingly aware of the four-engined gas guzzlers that made up the larger ends of their fleets. Decisions to dispense with Boeing 747s and Airbus A340s came thick and fast, while the A380's fortunes continued to sour even as super jumbos rolled off the production line. Singapore Airlines had already thinned its herd from 24 to 17 prior to the outbreak of COVID-19, but Air France was first to confirm it was done with the Toulouse/ Blagnac-built behemoth. One example had been pulled from service at the very end of 2019 and the rest of the Charles de Gaulle-based dozen were gone within six months. Fears that a steady stream of super jumbo fleets could fall by the wayside as the pandemic progressed were entirely justified. But with Lufthansa recently stating it is preparing to reintroduce the A380 - and Airbus planning to use its development aircraft as testbeds for hydrogen propulsion efforts - there could be light at the end of a very trying tunnel for the type. We take a look at each A380 operator to provide an overview of the type's renewed fortunes.
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