Each week, airlines from around the world submit schedule changes to databases like Cirium Diio and OAG. In the latest update, Emirates and Qatar Airways disclosed more changes to their respective Airbus A380 networks. This is, of course, primarily due to the Iran war.

They are in addition to other recently discussed developments. For example, Qatar Airways has grounded its subfleet of superjumbos throughout April and May. And Emirates’ flights on its 615-seat double-deckers have fallen by a third year-over-year, although that is partly because of their reconfiguration.

Emirates Has Temporarily Pulled The A380 From Four Routes

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In May, the Gulf giant will not fly the A380 from Dubai to Copenhagen, Glasgow, Osaka Kansai, or Prague. For now, only that spring month is affected. While subject to change, there is currently no indication that the double-decker’s suspension will continue into June or beyond.

Copenhagen and Prague were to see the non-first-class, two-class, 615-seat config. Meanwhile, Glasgow was down to see the first-class-equipped 519-seater, which is for now Emirates’s highest-capacity, four-class layout, although that will change soon. Osaka’s flights were scheduled on the 468-seat superjumbo, which is the carrier’s lowest-capacity configuration.

The 328-seat Boeing 777-300ER will now operate to Osaka, while the 332-seat 777-300ER is scheduled for Glasgow and the 360-seat 777-300ER will be deployed to Prague. In these cases, four-class aircraft will be used. Copenhagen is the odd one out. The three-class, non-first-class, 298-seat A350-900 will temporarily operate, ahead of that variant’s regular service on the route from the end of October. This is Emirates’ lowest-capacity equipment. Temporarily switching from the 615-seat A380 to the 298-seat A350 is notable.

There are other significant changes. Emirates has confirmed that the number of superjumbo services from Dubai to Milan Malpensa, Munich, and Zurich in May will halve to once daily each. In Milan’s case, this affects the standalone, terminator flight, not the fifth freedom link to New York JFK. Elsewhere, London Gatwick’s A380 flights will rise from two to three daily in May, which will be the highest number since December. Then there’s Bali. From May onward, Emirates has doubled the number of A380 services to twice-daily.

Qatar Airways Has Temporarily Pulled The A380 From Three Routes

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As the oneworld member has no A380 flights in April or May, its latest changes affect other months. In June, July, and August, no superjumbo flights are now scheduled from Doha to Paris CDG, Singapore, or Sydney. When writing, these three routes will see the 517-seat A380 again on September 16. In the meantime, the type has been replaced by the 354-seat 777-300ER to CDG, both the 283-seat A350-900 and 327-seat A350-1000 will now fly to Singapore, and the 327-seat A350-1000 will be used to Sydney.

Qatar Airways is still due to fly the A380 to London Heathrow from June 16. But unlike before, the type will now run twice-daily, instead of daily. A double daily operation will continue in July and August (up from daily). This frequency was previously available until last September. The type is also due to return to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi on June 16. But while a ten-weekly service was previously planned, the type will now run twice-daily. This frequency will continue through July and August (up from 10 weekly). More changes are inevitable.

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Etihad Recently Changed Its A380 Network Too

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It is worth briefly mentioning Etihad Airways, which is the third Middle Eastern operator to fly the A380. In the latest update, no changes were made to its double-decker network. However, earlier this month, it was disclosed that it plans fewer superjumbo flights to Singapore.

The plan was for the 486-seat type to take off for Changi at the end of April, and to operate daily from then onward. However, the latest information shows that the A380 will leave Abu Dhabi for the Southeast Asia city-state on June 15 and continue through 2027. This is, of course, subject to change.

Using Cirium data to compare Etihad’s A380 flights between May and August indicates that its offering has fallen by 10% compared to the same months last year. Perhaps unexpectedly, Emirates has more services. They’ve risen by 3%, although that’s mainly because June-August has not been particularly affected (yet). Then again, May flights are only down by 3%. Qatar Airways is different. Due to no flights in May, its total offering through August has fallen by 59%. However, if May is stripped out, they’ve still nearly halved for June-August (-48%).