Quantcast

Short-haul Airbus A380 flights: exploring their economic viability

Air France-KLM in ongoing talks with Air Europa on potential stake, CEO says
Passengers escape fiery American Airlines jet in Denver
Delta, American Dive On Slashed Outlooks; But Two Airlines Rally
Competitors are circling Southwest after the airline announced it's going to start charging for checked bags
Exclusive: Dominican Low-Cost Carrier Arajet Wants to Disrupt NYC Market
Boeing deliveries rise 63% in February from a year earlier
Transportation Secretary Duffy Lays Out 10 Ways the FAA Is Working to Upgrade Air Traffic Control and Make Flying Safer
EasyJet pilot Paul Elsworth suspended after flying too close to mountain
Delta Air Lines bets on ‘blended-wing’ flight to reduce emissions
Europe's airlines pivot to bite size M&A deals to limit cost, regulatory burden
Dave Emerson named new CEO of Virgin Australia, replacing Jayne Hrdlicka
Ryanair DELAYS controversial new boarding pass rule to avoid summer chaos
FAA Orders Inspection, Replacement of 737NG Engine Parts
Spirit Adds New Airport, Three Routes
Delta crash passengers should take the $30,000 payment, their lawyers say. Here’s why.
Budget airline launches new cheap flights to one of the UK’s top winter sun destinations
Brazilian airline Azul to go 'back to basics' after challenging 2024
Airlines cancel flights as air travel to ‘grind to complete halt’ this week ahead of major strike action in Europe
Dramatic moment American Airlines plane diverted to Rome is escorted by fighter jets after mid-air bomb threat
Jetstar Faces Major Backlash as Nationwide System Outage Causes Travel Chaos, Stranding Passengers and Disrupting Flights Across the Australian Airline Industry
Sudden oil supply outages creating turbulence for airline industry
Southwest's layoffs dent its worker-first culture
Abu Dhabi's long-haul carrier Etihad Airways sees record $476 million profit in 2024
Jet2 warns of profits squeeze from rising costs and late bookings
Southwest bends further to activist shareholder Elliott's demands
Downgraded on a flight? Take these simple but important steps to get your money back
Delta Offers Over $2 Million to CRJ Crash Passengers
Boeing Delays Continue for Alaska, Hawaiian
Hong Kong Airlines launches daily Sydney flights
Airline to launch new bunk beds in economy on long-haul flights next year
Short-haul Airbus A380 flights: exploring their economic viability
Policy
Webp 9d8e4n9zvnq6npvse1f7c4oouh5n
Airbus A380 | Airbus

The Airbus A380, renowned as the world's largest passenger aircraft, is typically associated with long-haul flights. However, data from Cirium for December 2024 reveals that some of these aircraft are being utilized on routes covering 2,000 miles or less.

Emirates operates two of the shortest A380 routes from Dubai to Cairo and Dubai to Jeddah. Both routes see a high frequency of 93 flights each in December 2024. These flights are economically viable due to strong demand and the need for large capacity on these regional routes. The Dubai to Cairo route spans approximately 1,500 miles, while the distance to Jeddah is around 1,200 miles.

Cirium's data also highlights another short route from Dubai to Amman at about 1,300 miles with 31 flights scheduled in December. This route will offer a total of 15,134 seats for the month. Emirates uses the A380's seat capacity effectively on these routes to meet passenger demand efficiently.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

Other airlines also use the A380 on short-haul routes. Asiana Airlines operates flights between Seoul and Tokyo Narita and Seoul and Taipei using this aircraft type. The Seoul to Tokyo Narita route covers 800 miles with 27 flights planned for December, while Seoul to Taipei is slightly longer at around 1,000 miles with 31 scheduled flights.

Operating such a large aircraft on short-haul routes presents challenges like longer ground handling times due to its size and passenger volume. Despite this, airlines like Emirates find deploying a high-capacity aircraft beneficial where there is strong demand.

The use of the A380 on shorter routes illustrates its versatility beyond long-haul travel. It remains uncertain if this trend will continue amid fleet retirements and changing market dynamics; however, for now, the A380 continues its legacy across diverse markets.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Heathrow Airport Limited’s (HAL) performance is under scrutiny following recent development proposals, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Aug 1, 2025

Delta Air Lines has announced plans to add 40 nonstop flights from Boston Logan International Airport to 10 leisure destinations across the United States for Patriots’ Day in April 2025.

Aug 1, 2025

Emirates has expanded its Aircrafted KIDS initiative to the Middle East and North Africa region, starting with the donation of 800 bags to two non-profit organizations in Egypt.

Aug 1, 2025

The Airline Pilots Association (ALPA) has issued a statement on X, urging policymakers to prioritize the ongoing modernization of air traffic control (ATC) systems.

Jul 31, 2025

ITA Airways announced on X that it is extending the suspension of flights to and from Tel Aviv through September 30, including the cancellation of flights AZ809 and AZ815 on October 1.

Jul 31, 2025

Emirates has announced on X its plans to launch daily flights from Dubai to Hangzhou, marking an expansion of its network in China.

Jul 31, 2025