ABU DHABI- Etihad Airways (EY) has reactivated another Airbus A380, ending more than five years of storage in France as demand for long-haul travel continues to rise. The aircraft is now returning to Abu Dhabi International Airport, Abu Dhabi (AUH), marking a key step in the airline’s widebody recovery plan.
The Airbus A380 was ferried from Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrénées Airport, Tarbes (LDE), reinforcing Etihad’s strategy to expand its A380 network ahead of new intercontinental routes, including Tokyo Narita.
Etihad Reactivates A380
The aircraft involved, registered A6-APC, departed Tarbes on its ferry flight to Abu Dhabi at 9:32 am local time, according to Flightradar24.
The 11-year-old superjumbo is expected to return to Etihad’s operational control after extended long-term storage.
Etihad initially grounded its Airbus A380 fleet in early 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic collapsed international travel. Like many global carriers, the airline placed its largest aircraft into storage as capacity far exceeded demand.
The sustained recovery of international travel since 2022 has now made the A380 viable again, particularly on high-density premium routes, SimpleFlying reported.
A6-APC’s Storage History and Reactivation Path
A6-APC was delivered to Etihad Airways in May 2015 and last operated scheduled passenger flights in March 2020.
The aircraft spent its first months of storage in Abu Dhabi before being moved to Tarbes in December 2020, a facility known for accommodating large aircraft during the pandemic due to its long runway and available space.
During its time in France, the aircraft saw minimal activity, limited to test flights in August 2023 and December 2025. It carries a special ADNOC Choose the United Kingdom livery, making it visually distinct within Etihad’s fleet.
Tarbes’ Role in Etihad’s A380 Storage Strategy
Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrénées Airport became a temporary home to several Etihad A380s during the early 2020s. Other aircraft, including A6-APG and A6-APH, were reactivated earlier, leaving Tarbes in 2023 as Etihad gradually rebuilt its superjumbo operations.
The airport’s infrastructure allowed it to support large quadjet aircraft despite its regular commercial traffic being limited to narrowbody operations.
Etihad currently operates seven Airbus A380s, with A6-APC bringing the active fleet to eight aircraft. According to Etihad management, the airline plans to activate nine of its ten A380s, with the remaining aircraft reserved for parts support.
The reactivated aircraft will support Etihad’s upcoming Airbus A380 service to Tokyo Narita Airport, Tokyo (NRT), launching in June 2026. Tokyo will join London, Paris, Singapore, and Toronto as destinations served by the airline’s flagship aircraft.
Etihad’s Airbus A380s are configured with 405 economy class seats on the main deck. The upper deck features 70 business class seats and nine first class suites. At the front of the upper deck is The Residence, a three-room private suite offering a bedroom, living space, and en suite bathroom, positioning Etihad among the most premium A380 operators globally.
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