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The Airbus A380, once celebrated as the world's largest passenger aircraft, is seeing its role in global aviation diminish. Launched by Airbus to address congestion at major international hubs, the A380 entered commercial service with Singapore Airlines in 2007. Despite its initial success and praise for spaciousness and capacity, the aircraft's long-term viability has been challenged by high operating costs and limited fuel efficiency.
Airbus ended production of the A380 in 2021 after airlines shifted towards more economical twin-engine widebodies. Emirates, the largest operator of the A380, reduced its order backlog in 2019 and opted for more efficient models like the Airbus A350 and Boeing 777. The final A380 was delivered to Emirates in December 2021.
As of mid-2025, 157 Airbus A380s remain active with select carriers including British Airways, Etihad Airways, Korean Air, Lufthansa, Qantas, Qatar Airways, and Singapore Airlines. However, some airlines have retired their fleets entirely due to economic challenges posed by four-engine widebodies.
