{"id":137052,"date":"2026-03-21T09:09:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-21T03:39:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=137052"},"modified":"2026-03-21T03:02:04","modified_gmt":"2026-03-20T21:32:04","slug":"qatar-airways-moves-a380-and-a350-fleet-to-long-term-storage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2026\/03\/21\/qatar-airways-moves-a380-and-a350-fleet-to-long-term-storage\/","title":{"rendered":"Qatar Airways Moves A380 and A350 Fleet to Long-Term Storage Amid War"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

DOHA-<\/strong> Qatar Airways (QR)<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Qatar
Photo: Kevin Hackert | Flickr<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Qatar Airways A350 and A380 Storage<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to PYOK<\/a>, the airline transferred five aircraft to Teruel on Friday. This included one Airbus A380<\/a> (A7-APC), previously grounded at London Heathrow Airport (LHR), along with four other widebody jets stranded across international locations since late February.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These aircraft include Airbus A350-900<\/a> 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).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: By Anna Zvereva from Tallinn, Estonia – Qatar Airways, A7-APJ, Airbus A380-861, CC BY-SA 2.0, https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/w\/index.php?curid=87491609<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Flight Operations Reduced After Initial Restart<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Qatar Airways resumed scheduled operations on March 18, including transit services through Doha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The airline initially ramped up to 135 daily flights<\/strong> but quickly scaled back to just 43 flights within days, signaling a weaker-than-expected recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Relocating aircraft to Spain<\/a> reduces exposure to potential attacks and preserves high-value assets. This strategy aligns with broader industry practices during geopolitical uncertainty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Qatar
Photo: JFK Spotting<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Comparison with the Emirates Recovery Approach<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While Qatar Airways adopts a cautious strategy, Emirates (EK)<\/a> continues to rebuild operations more aggressively. The Dubai-based carrier is currently operating over 350 daily flights through Dubai International Airport (DXB).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, it remains unclear whether Emirates can fully restore pre-crisis capacity within its projected timeline, indicating that recovery across the region remains uneven.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Empty Billion Dollar Airport Could Become Emirates, Qatar Airways\u2019 Backup Hub<\/a><\/blockquote>