Airlines

Etihad Airlines A380 is reactivated from storage, passengers may be able to enjoy a flying residence experience.

The national airline of the United Arab Emirates, Etihad Airways, has stated that four of its A380 aircraft will begin service during the summer of 2023. The decision was made in response to an increase in demand for air travel across the airline’s network and passenger feedback that one of the most remarkable commercial flying experiences in the sky to return.

Etihad will increase frequency to twice daily between Abu Dhabi and New York-JFK starting in April 2023.(Opens in a new browser tab)

On March 9, 2023, the A6-APG-registered aircraft was seen departing Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrenees Airport (LDE) in France, which is about 150 kilometres (93.2 miles) south of Toulouse, France, the home of Airbus. On March 10, 2023, at 2:51 AM local time (UTC +4), the Airbus A380 arrived at Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH), the home airport of Etihad Airways, in the UAE.

We have redelivered the 1st @etihad #A380.
The big bird flew away from our #Tarbes facilities?

She has been carefully stored and maintained for 21 months in our #Teruel site. Then she moved to our Tarbes site to perform specific #aircraftmaintenance operations. #aircraftstorage pic.twitter.com/jGFKA9FVCv

— TARMAC Aerosave (@TarmacAerosave) March 13, 2023

An ultra-luxurious travel experience, the Etihad A380 First Class Suite offers some of the most opulent amenities and services offered in air travel.

The suite has a completely private cabin with sliding doors, a cosy seat that can become a fully flat bed, a personal closet, and a minibar. A 32-inch LCD TV with on-demand entertainment, noise-canceling headphones, and a personal vanity unit with a mirror, hairdryer, and skincare items are included in each suite. The Etihad A380 offers first-class passengers a spacious lounge area in addition to the suite. The lounge offers a cosy seating area, a fully stocked bar, as well as a selection of gourmet snacks and beverages.

The first-class suite on the Etihad A380 offers passengers a premium dining experience with a range of gourmet meals and a carefully curated array of wines and champagne. Throughout the trip, guests can choose from a selection of snacks and beverages, and a dedicated onboard chef will cook meals.

The luxurious Etihad Airways First Class Lounge & Spa at Abu Dhabi International Airport is just one of the magnificent airport lounges available to Etihad’s A380 first-class customers. Aside from other attractions, the lounge has a spa, a fitness facility, a cigar lounge, and a fine dining facility.

Etihad’s A380s feature The Residence as well as three cabin classes on the double-decker aircraft, including 9 First Apartments, 70 Business Studios and 405 Economy Smart Seats. This includes 80 Economy Space seats with a seat pitch of up to 36 inches.

Airlines

Sanctions & Engine Issues Ground Half of Russia’s A320neo fleet

Russia’s aviation sector, already strained by Western sanctions, faces another setback as nearly half of its Airbus A320neo family aircraft are grounded due to unresolved engine issues.

This development highlights the growing challenges for russia commercial aircraft in maintaining their fleets under the weight of global restrictions and limited access to spare parts.

Out of the 66 Airbus A320neo and A321neo jets in Russia, 34 are now out of service, according to the Kommersant business newspaper. These planes are powered by engines manufactured by Pratt & Whitney, a subsidiary of RTX Corporation.

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The engines are affected by a previously identified defect in the metal used for certain parts, prompting accelerated inspections and maintenance.

Sanctions have compounded the issue, blocking the supply of essential components from major manufacturers like Boeing and Airbus. Without proper maintenance, experts warn that these aircraft may face decommissioning as early as 2026.

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Airlines like S7, which operates a significant portion of these grounded jets, plan to conserve the engines for future use during peak travel seasons. However, reports suggest that over 20 of S7’s Airbus planes have engines that have already reached the end of their operational lifespan. Recently, russia seeks assistance from kazakhstan’s airlines to bolster its domestic flights.

While some A320neo and A321neo planes in Russia are equipped with French-made LEAP engines, which are seen as less problematic, the challenges remain daunting.

The situation underscores the long-term impact of sanctions on Russia’s aviation sector and the increasing difficulties in keeping its modern fleets operational.