The Dubai-based airline is the largest customer of the Airbus A380, whose sheer size has made it particularly unviable to maintain during the pandemic.
Since mid-March, most jumbo jets have barely flown except on short hops to maintain pilots’ certifications, while many furloughs seem to be becoming permanent.
Keeping crew flight-ready is one of the main challenges carriers face during the unprecedented Covid crisis that keeps more than a third of the world’s fleet grounded.
Airbus decided to discontinue the A380 program as carriers looked to simplify fleets and upgrade fuel efficiency but airlines are also opting to retire it early.
In tactical terms, the shirtless protest was worse than a self-goal. Suddenly, the fiascos of the AI Summit were forgotten, and the Youth Congress’s disruption became the issue.
IAF is fine with accepting the aircraft with 'must-haves', even if some other steps remain pending, which may take at least another year, it is learnt.
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