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Anyone know what's going on with the lack of A380 fleet?
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Brad, it is an ongoing issue with the resumption of QANTAS A380 services being put back. QF11/12 was due to increase A380 frequencies from 3 to 6 pw from August, which has been put back to December, 2022. QF93/94 was due to be operated by A380s 3 pw from 2/12/22 and 6 pw from 25/3/23 which has now been shelved.
QANTAS has four A380s currently operating (OQB, OQD, OQH, OQK) - three for QF1/2 daily and one for QF11/12 two or three times per week. OQJ would have increased this to five to operate the increased A380 QF11/12 flights but after resuming flying in June has been in maintenance in SYD since 31/8/22. OQG has been in maintenance in AUH since 30/7/22 and it was presumed that when these two A380s resumed flying the increased A380 services from December would be achieved with the six aircraft. The next A380, possibly OQA, would have had maintenance and refurbishment in time to operate the increased QF93/94 services from late March, 2023.
But this schedule has now been put back for reasons unknown. Is the maintenance work required on the A380s taking longer than planned? Is there a tech crew shortage to fly them? Do forward bookings not justify the increase in seats deployed? This last question does not seem to be true with other airlines on North American services increasing flights - United, Delta and Air Canada, with American returning at the end on this month. Or some other reason or reasons.
It would be very interesting to hear from someone in the know as to what is delaying the return of previously planned A380 services.