Used A380 aircraft set to potentially flood the leasing market? Rumors in the used aircraft marketplace indicate that Singapore Airlines may start returning the super jumbo jets next year. This would be the first time the second hand demand would be tested for the largest jetliner in the world. The aircraft are owned by the international leasing firm Doric. Singapore Airlines has not yet officially confirmed the aircraft returns, but the London based leasing firm is already making preparations. Plans are already underway to possibly refurbishment the giant aircraft. This includes reserving paint shop time, and securing the availability of replacement seating.
Singapore Airlines was the launch customer for the Airbus A380, and purchased a total of 19 jets. Only Dubai based Emirates Airlines operates a larger fleet of the worlds largest aircraft. Singapore Airlines originally signed a 10 year lease for the planes, which is set to expire in 2017. Doric had originally believed that the air carrier would exercise its two year option to keep the first five aircraft. Singapore Airlines still has 5 more new A380 aircraft due for delivery of the 24 total it has ordered.
Used A380 second hand market
Airbus has had a hard time getting sales for the giant A380 aircraft the last few years. The same story holds true for updated Boeing 747-800. Many global airlines chose to acquired slightly smaller, longer range aircraft instead of the competing jumbo jets, instead. Airbus would be in a tough spot if it had to compete against the lower cost used aircraft. The first A380 aircraft was just handed over to Singapore Airlines in 2007. Only a total of 180 A380 airplanes have been delivered in total. Cheaper lease pricing on the plane could save air carriers big bucks off the $432.6 million list price. It will be very interesting to see how the A380 market will play out.
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