Korean Air (KE, Seoul Incheon) will reportedly postpone the planned 2026 retirement of its seven A380-800s due to delays in the arrival of new aircraft and increased passenger demand. The decision, first reported by the Korean-language Asia Business Daily, is yet to be officially confirmed by the airline.
One of the A380s, HL7619 (msn 96), was ferried to Lufthansa Technik's A380 MRO facility at Manila Ninoy Aquino International on December 31 for a D-Check. The report also noted recent minor cabin refurbishments on certain other A380s.
Asia Business Daily suggests that Korean's decision to send the aircraft to Manila for its D-Check is happening because it intends to keep the aircraft flying beyond 2026. Several reasons are reportedly behind the move, including the A380s' poor resale prospects, delays of new aircraft, and strong passenger demand.
"The D-check maintenance procedures being conducted in Manila are mandatory safety requirements for aircraft operations," a Korean Air spokesperson told ch-aviation. "Our fleet decisions are continuously evaluated based on market conditions and operational requirements."
In 2021, Korean Air CEO Walter Cho said the A380s would be retired by 2026, and in April 2024, FlightGlobal, citing an email from the airline, reported that one A380 was in the throes of being parted out, with another two to follow.
According to ch-aviation fleets data, Korean Air presently operates the A380-800 between Seoul and both Los Angeles International and New York JFK. Of its seven A380s only four are in service. Besides HJ7619, HL7614 (msn 68) and HL7615 (msn 75) are parked at Incheon. Korean Air is also taking over Asiana Airlines (OZ, Seoul Incheon), which has six active A380-800s.
