Emirates has retired an Airbus A380 from its fleet, a first for the world’s largest operator of the superjumbo jet.
The retired plane, registration A6-EDG, was the second A380 to ever be delivered to the airline, which was received by Emirates in October 2008. It was the 13th A380 to ever be built.
In fact, the plane has been retired on the exact 12th anniversary of its entrance into service, which took place on 27 October, 2008.
The airline has said that it already had intended to retire the plane prior to COVID-19, due to the upcoming requirement for heavy maintenance on the aircraft.
A6-EDG took off for the last time from Dubai International Airport on Tuesday at 3:33pm local time, bound for its final resting place at Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrenees Airport in France.
The plane touched down in France at 7:55pm local time.
Tarbes-Lourdes is the home of aircraft recycling plant Tarmac Aerosave, which is currently also dismantling an ex-Singapore Airlines A380.
Prior to this final flight, A6-EDG had been stored at Dubai Airport for several months.
The aircraft was reportedly taken out of service on 23 February. On this date, A6-EDG performed its final commercial flight between Muscat International Airport and Dubai.
With this retirement, Emirates continues to hold its title as the world’s largest A380 operator, with 114 superjumbos still in its fleet.
The airline still has eight A380 aircraft on order, yet to be delivered.
