The world's first Airbus A380 superjumbo is being broken up for parts, made into luggage tags

We’re sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. We’re working to restore it. Please try again later.

Advertisement

This was published 4 years ago

The world's first Airbus A380 superjumbo is being broken up for parts, made into luggage tags

By Benedikt Kammel
Updated
The world's first Airbus A380 is being dismembered for spare parts like engines and aeronautic components.

The world's first Airbus A380 is being dismembered for spare parts like engines and aeronautic components. Credit: Tarmac Aerosave

The first Airbus A380 superjumbo to enter commercial service, a plane meant to revolutionise air travel and now being broken up for spare parts, is returning to the skies in an altogether more diminutive form: luggage tags.

The limited-edition collectors' items crafted from the aluminum skin of the world's biggest commercial airliner are on sale for 27.95 euros ($45.80) each through specialist retailer Aviationtag.

An update from the retailer said the tags had sold out in just 48 hours, but that another decommissioned A380 would also be cut up for tags soon.

Luggage tags made from the fuselage of the A380 have sold out in just 48 hours.

Luggage tags made from the fuselage of the A380 have sold out in just 48 hours.Credit: Tarmac Aerosave

Decommissioned aircraft parts have long found their way into the hands of aviation aficionados, from cabin juice trolleys to coffee tables made from wing parts to mini bars complete with windows carved out of fuselage sections. In this case, the hulking A380, with the manufacturer serial number MSN003, made its maiden commercial flight with Singapore Airlines from the city state to Sydney in October 2007.

The Asian carrier removed the aircraft from its fleet last year and transferred it to southern France, where the plane is being dismembered for spare parts like engines and aeronautic components.

In a bid to carve a bit of extra value from the jet, which can seat more than 800 people on two decks, a swathe of the outer skin is also being cut up to create 7000 luggage tags. Each is engraved with a partial silhouette etching of the aircraft and data including an issue number.

Recycling aircraft is a profitable business because many components are worth more as single parts than the jet as a whole and remain in good working order.

Recycling aircraft is a profitable business because many components are worth more as single parts than the jet as a whole and remain in good working order.Credit: Bloomberg

Recycling aircraft is a profitable business because many components are worth more as single parts than the jet as a whole and remain in good working order. Planes are increasingly being broken apart at younger ages because technical advances have convinced airlines to opt for the latest, fuel-efficient models.

Advertisement

Airbus announced last year that it would discontinue production of the A380 because of its lacklustre commercial success. While the model, boasting extras like first-class showers or bars where business-class passengers can mingle, is a hit with travellers, airlines have struggled to accommodate the giant four-engine model in their fleets, which are increasingly tilted toward smaller aircraft that can be deployed more flexibly within their networks.

Singapore Airlines was the first commercial operator of the A380. The biggest buyer by far is Emirates, which has ordered 123 A380s in total. Other operators, like Deutsche Lufthansa AG, Malaysian Airlines System Bhd and Air France, have cut back on their initial purchases and are beginning to retire the double-decker.

The last A380s will likely be produced sometime next year.

Bloomberg

See also: What the demise of the four-engine plane means for travellers

Sign up for the Traveller newsletter

The latest travel news, tips and inspiration delivered to your inbox. Sign up now.

Most viewed on Traveller

Loading