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In the early 2000s, Airbus introduced the A380 with the aim of transforming long-haul travel. The aircraft's size and range made it ideal for busy airports and major intercontinental routes, leading to its adoption by airlines such as Qatar Airways. However, as airline economics changed, the A380 became less viable due to its fuel inefficiency compared to newer models like the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787.
The COVID-19 pandemic further impacted the A380's popularity, leading many airlines, including Qatar Airways, to ground their fleets. By early 2021, Qatar Airways announced that the A380 would not return to service. Yet later that year, they reversed this decision and reintroduced the aircraft.
Qatar Airways initially ordered the A380 in 2001 as part of its expansion strategy across Europe and Asia. The airline received its first A380 in September 2014 and began using it on key routes such as Doha–London Heathrow. Despite initial enthusiasm, former CEO Akbar Al Baker later described the purchase as a mistake due to global events affecting its prospects.
