British Airways intends to return its A380s to service

British Airways Airbus A380-800 (G-XLEK) - AirTeamImages.com - Enda Burke

The CEO of British Airways, Sean Doyle, commented on the A380: "The A380 performs very well in several important markets and is an important part of our fleet, and at the moment our plans are obviously to fly with it again."

Before the COVID-19 crisis, the airline's 12 A380s currently in storage were used in destinations such as Johannesburg (South Africa), Los Angeles (USA), Hong Kong, and Singapore.

British Airways A380 Storage in Chateauroux, France

Photo: AirTeamImages.com - Jonathan Zaninger

However, European airlines such as Lufthansa, which today sent one of its A380s to storage in Teruel, Spain, said they wouldn't put the A380s back into service. Air France also says the same.

Lufthansa A380 (reg. D-AIMD) leaving Frankfurt Airport to Teruel for long-term storage.

While the A380 may have a future with British Airways, Doyle also highlights its Boeing 747 fleet's withdrawal in the first weeks of the Covid-19 crisis. At the expense of four engines, twin engines like the A350 and 787 are more efficient and will eventually fill the void left by the 747 and A380, referring to a cost-saving and sustainability strategy.

British Airways 747 Storage in Cotswold, United Kingdom

Photo: AirTeamImages.com - Simon Willson

According to Doyle: "With global energy being built around climate action, this will be a more significant part of how we will operate in the future. I don't know of anyone who is developing a new four-engine variant. Unless it is part of it, of some game-changer in terms of efficiency that we do not know about," he said.

Doyle also comments on British Airways' partnership with ZeroAvia, stating: "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." Doyle notes that hydrogen-powered aircraft may be the solution to reducing the aviation industry's damage to nature but notes that it is a move that will take years. According to him: "10 years for short-range aircraft, and perhaps 20-30 years for long-range aircraft."

British Airways fleet utilization statistics on RadarBox:

British Airways flight statistics on RadarBox: