DOHA- Qatar Airways (QR) has begun moving several widebody aircraft into long-term storage as operational recovery slows due to ongoing regional instability. Key aircraft, including Airbus A380s and A350s, are being relocated to Teruel Airport (TEV) in Spain.
The move follows reduced flight activity at Hamad International Airport (DOH), where the airline has scaled back operations despite initial plans to restore capacity after recent airspace disruptions.
Qatar Airways A350 and A380 Storage
Qatar Airways is placing multiple widebody aircraft into deep storage at Teruel Airport (TEV), a facility operated by Tarmac Aerosave that specializes in long-term parking, maintenance, and recycling. The site can accommodate up to 120 aircraft and is widely used by global carriers during periods of reduced demand.
According to PYOK, the airline transferred five aircraft to Teruel on Friday. This included one Airbus A380 (A7-APC), previously grounded at London Heathrow Airport (LHR), along with four other widebody jets stranded across international locations since late February.
These aircraft include Airbus A350-900 units positioned at Cape Town International Airport (CPT), King Shaka International Airport (DUR), and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), as well as a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner held at O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB).
Earlier in the week, four Airbus A330 aircraft departed Hamad International Airport (DOH) for Teruel under non-commercial flight numbers. These ferry flights indicate that the airline is proactively reducing exposure at its Doha hub while managing fleet utilization.
The decision reflects both operational caution and cost control. Parking aircraft at major hubs like London Heathrow incurs high fees, making long-term storage facilities a more economical option during prolonged downturns.
Flight Operations Reduced After Initial Restart
Qatar Airways resumed scheduled operations on March 18, including transit services through Doha.
The airline initially ramped up to 135 daily flights but quickly scaled back to just 43 flights within days, signaling a weaker-than-expected recovery.
This sharp reduction suggests that demand remains unstable, forcing the airline to adjust capacity and defer full-scale operations. The storage of high-capacity aircraft like the Airbus A380 further highlights expectations of a prolonged recovery period.
Beyond economic factors, security risks remain a key driver behind these decisions. The ongoing threat of missile and drone activity in the region has increased concerns about aircraft safety at Doha.
Relocating aircraft to Spain reduces exposure to potential attacks and preserves high-value assets. This strategy aligns with broader industry practices during geopolitical uncertainty.
Comparison with the Emirates Recovery Approach
While Qatar Airways adopts a cautious strategy, Emirates (EK) continues to rebuild operations more aggressively. The Dubai-based carrier is currently operating over 350 daily flights through Dubai International Airport (DXB).
However, it remains unclear whether Emirates can fully restore pre-crisis capacity within its projected timeline, indicating that recovery across the region remains uneven.
Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.
Join us on Telegram Group for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on Google News
