Etihad is reportedly considering scrapping its Airbus A380 and A350 fleets. The airline operates ten of the giant of the skies and has yet to receive any of its A350 orders in Abu Dhabi.

The news this week has been bad for all Airbus A380 lovers. Since the start of the current crisis, 16 A380s have been retired early, with suggestions that more could follow. Indeed, yesterday Air France became the first operator to completely scrap the giant from its future fleet. However, it would come as no surprise if others followed suit as a result of the current pit that the industry is in.

What's new?

Reuters today reported that Etihad Airways is considering cutting two Airbus aircraft types from its fleet structure. Firstly, Reuters' sources said that the airline was considering permanently grounding its Airbus A380 fleet. This wouldn't come as a considerable shock, as airlines across the world are looking to reassess keeping the giant.

What is maybe more surprising is that the sources also mentioned that the carrier is considering whether it will even operate its five Airbus A350-1000s on order. The aircraft have all been completed, but are yet to be properly delivered to Etihad.

Etihad Airways, Airbus A380, Airbus A350
Etihad Airways canceled its Airbus A350-900 orders. Photo: Airbus

Etihad's A350 order

So, what's happening with Etihad's Airbus A350 aircraft? According to AIBFamily, four of the five aircraft have been delivered on contract, with the fifth having recently undergone a customer acceptance flight:

  • The first A350 (MSN 290) was delivered on contract on May 31st, 2019. It was ferried to Bordeaux on June 3rd.
  • MSN 315 was delivered on contract on July 15th, 2019. The aircraft was ferried to Bordeaux on July 24th.
  • Next, MSN 330 was delivered on contract on July 29th, 2019. It was ferried to Bordeaux on August 27th.
  • MSN 342 was delivered on contract on September 30th, 2019, and ferried to Bordeaux on October 1st.
  • Last but not least, MSN 388 is still in Toulouse, awaiting delivery on contract. It will almost certainly be ferried to Bordeaux.

In September an Etihad spokesperson told Simple Flying:

“Etihad Airways will retime the entry into service of five new Airbus A350-1000 aircraft as part of its ongoing business transformation plan."

What about the Airbus A380?

It is slightly less surprising to learn that Etihad is reassessing the Airbus A380 in its future operations, as many airlines are surely having the same discussions. Even rival airline Emirates is reportedly looking to cut its Airbus A380 fleet.

Etihad A380
Etihad's Airbus A380 offers a private apartment. Photo: Getty Images

Etihad Airways has a reasonably young Airbus A380 fleet. According to Planespotters, the airline's fleet has an average age of under five years. Half of that of Air France's recently retired fleet. Etihad's A380s are the only to be fitted with an apartment suite.

If Etihad were to retire the A380 and not operate the A350, it would be left with four aircraft types. These are the Boeing 777, Boeing 787, the Airbus A320 family, and finally, one Airbus A330, which recently operated a historic flight to Tel Aviv.

Simple Flying has contacted Etihad for comment regarding this story.

Do you think Etihad should reconsider its Airbus A380 operations? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.