Etihad Airways’ Airbus A380 Returns to Service After 3-Year Grounding

Etihad Airways has successfully brought its Airbus A380 aircraft back into operation after more than three years of being grounded. The momentous occasion was marked by the landing of an Etihad Airways Airbus A380, registered as A6-APG, at London Heathrow Airport (LHR) at 6:42 am local time (UTC +1) on July 25, 2023. This flight symbolized the type’s return to the airline’s fleet after all A380s were grounded in March 2020.

According to flightradar2.com, the Airbus A380 took off from LHR at 10:42 am local time (UTC +1) and is scheduled to return to Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) at 8:00 pm local time (UTC +4).

A6-APG is the first of four A380s that Etihad Airways plans to bring back into service in the coming months. Another A380, registered as A6-API, has already returned to AUH from Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport (XMN), China, after undergoing extensive maintenance and successfully completing several test flights to and from AUH.

Similarly, A6-APH made its return journey from Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrenees Airport (LDE) to AUH on June 21, 2023, but has not been active on radar since. Lastly, A6-APJ was flown from Teruel Airport (TEV), Spain, to XMN for extensive maintenance on July 11, 2023.

Etihad Airways had previously announced the return of four of its Airbus A380s in December 2022, stating that these double-deckers would be exclusively deployed on flights to and from LHR, in response to the high demand for flights to the British capital during the summer season.

While the status of the remaining six A380s remains uncertain, the four returning aircraft will offer unmatched luxury onboard. Etihad Airways is proud to present ‘The Residence,’ an opulent apartment-like suite within the Airbus A380, exclusively available to customers flying to and from LHR.

This luxurious suite includes a dedicated bedroom with a double-sized bed, a shower, dedicated catering services, and a host of other benefits reserved only for passengers who choose this premium option.”