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Emirates to bring the A380 ‘SuperJumbo’ back to Heathrow

Move ends speculation that world’s biggest plane could be grounded

Simon Calder
Travel Correspondent
Wednesday 24 June 2020 10:36 BST
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Arriving soon: Emirates Airbus A380 approaching Heathrow
Arriving soon: Emirates Airbus A380 approaching Heathrow

Airline passengers who enjoy the world’s biggest passenger plane will once again be able to fly on it between Heathrow airport and Dubai – but only once a day.

The UAE-based airline, Emirates, will restore the Airbus A380 to the route on 15 July.

It follows the news that Dubai will reopen to tourists from 7 July.

Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, Emirates was by far the biggest user of the double-deck “SuperJumbo” – with six return trips a day between Heathrow and Dubai.

Flights to and from Dubai were suspended in late March as the coronavirus pandemic spread, leaving tens of thousands of British travellers stranded in Asia, Africa and Australasia.

Emirates’ chief operating officer, Adel Al Redha, said: “The A380 remains a popular aircraft amongst our customers and it offers many unique on-board features.

“Even though we've modified services on board for the health and safety of our crew and customers, we are confident that our customers would welcome flying again in this quiet, comfortable aircraft.”

Emirates currently uses the smaller Boeing 777 on routes from both Heathrow and Manchester to Dubai. One of the two daily Heathrow services will continue to be operated by a 777.

Services from Gatwick, Birmingham, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Glasgow have yet to resume.

Tourists travelling to Dubai are required to hold “an international health insurance policy covering illness from Covid-19 for the duration of their stay”.

There had been speculation that the Airbus jet would be withdrawn from service, as airlines downsized their fleets and networks.

British Airways has grounded all its Airbus A380 jets, with most of them parked at a French airfield, Châteauroux.

BA has also stopped flying Boeing 747 Jumbo jets.

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