dailynewsnblog
Originally, the colossal aircraft that is the Airbus A380 was priced above USD 400 million for new orders, which sparked debate about its profitability at the time of its release. Many believed its high initial and operating costs would make it unviable in the long run, but strong interest in used models and demand for premium services have sustained its value.
The global fleet of A380s was valued at $11.35 billion in spring 2024, showing a 2.8% rise from $11.04 billion in 2023. The Airbus A380 can cost between USD 21 million and USD 70 million on the second-hand market in 2025, according to data from ch-aviation.
The top operator of A380s in the world, Emirates, has continued to expand its already vast fleet by acquiring more and more of the double-decker super jumbos. A new contender in the industry has also entered with a strong investment and plans for more.
Decades ago, Airbus set out to compete with Boeing’s 747 by developing the A380. The first commercial flight took place in 2007. With innovative materials and avionics, its development faced issues, nearly doubling costs to around USD 25 billion.
Production peaked at 30 jets annually by 2012. Later in the decade, industry preferences shifted towards smaller, more fuel-efficient twin-engine passenger jets. The impact of the COVID-19/coronavirus pandemic rocked the airline industry to its core. Exacerbating the situation and leading some airlines to consider retiring their A380s.
Renewed demand post-pandemic sparked a rise in second-hand A380 prices, fueled in part by startup interest and cargo conversions but also loyal customers that prize the flying giant for its many qualities.
Let’s review how the grandest Airbus ever built has aged in the 17 years that it has been flying and how the value of the A380 has evolved up to now.
Market factors raising values
Carriers are encouraged to maintain or purchase A380s by the demand for large, luxurious cabins, particularly in the Middle East and Asian markets. The shrinking pool of supply is another factor increasing the resale value. Airbus produced 251 aircraft, most of which are still in the hands of a small group of operators. A380s can be leased; the price is reportedly between USD 1.2 and 1.5 million per month.
While fueling four engines is expensive, certain operators can offset that cost by flying high-demand routes where the aircraft’s capacity turns into strong revenue. Purchase and operation price complexity is increased by engine options as well. The A380 comes with a choice of Engine Alliance GP7200 or Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines, each with a unique maintenance profile.
The high cost of fueling four engines is justified by operating on routes with high demand, where the aircraft’s capacity generates substantial money. Second-hand prices are less intimidating than the initial list price, which makes the initial investment more attainable for new carriers.
An industry-wide revival for the A380 is reflected in comments from Satair: “Just one year after many retirements were reversed in favour of retrofits, the value and price of the Airbus A380 aircraft is soaring, not least thanks to a young British entrepreneur using the mighty jet to lavishly fly passengers across the Atlantic.”
Where giants roam
Emirates is the reigning champion of double-decker airline fleets, with over a hundred examples of the world’s largest passenger jet in their fleet. The carrier built a strong relationship with Airbus through continuous growth in their fleet of A380 aircraft, with a 2018 deal worth USD 16 billion for 20 firm orders and 16 options.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, said: “We’ve made no secret of the fact that the A380 has been a success for Emirates. Our customers love it, and we’ve been able to deploy it on different missions across our network, giving us flexibility in terms of range and passenger mix.”
He went on to say, “This aircraft has contributed enormously to Emirates’ growth and success since 2008, and we are delighted that it will continue to do so. This new order underscores Airbus’ commitment to produce the A380 at least for another ten years. I’m personally convinced more orders will follow Emirates’ example and that this great aircraft will be built well into the 2030s.”
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, said: “Emirates truly represents Dubai’s spirit of growth, innovation and resilience. It also epitomises the city’s increasing role in connecting the world in terms of people, capital and information flows. This deal reflects Emirates’ confidence in shaping the future, and its commitment to advancing Dubai’s vision to grow further as a world-class destination and aviation hub.”
Unfortunately, the line shut down for the A380 in 2021 after the Emirates order was fulfilled. As recently as July 2024, Christian Scherer, Chief Executive Officer of the Commercial Aircraft business of Airbus, commented:
“The door is closed, but it is not locked. In the industry, nothing is discarded.”
Airbus may have put its iconic super-jumbo jet on ice for now, but they have far from abandoned it. Similarly hopeful, Emirates has continued to show its support for the line despite the production halt, expressing strong interest in the possibility of a renewed A380neo model.
By the numbers
High fuel consumption is a major factor in the daily ownership price, as explained in a report by UAE Moments, “An A380 consumes about 12,000 liters of fuel per hour, which, for a 20-hour journey, can cost around $240,000 at current fuel prices.” Each long haul trip can incur additional crew costs of USD 30,000 to USD 40,000 on top of the gas.
The cost of maintenance can range from USD 5,000 for lesser inspections to USD 25 million for full D-checks. The largest operator of A380s, Emirates, reportedly spends about $30,000 per flight hour. Given that many of these colossal jets fly long-haul routes, the sunk cost from point to point can reach nearly $500,000 by the time an A380 is turned around and ready to go again.
Airbus’s magnificent flying monster is equally impressive on paper as it is to behold on the tarmac or inside the cavernous cabin. Dive into the nitty-gritty and check out how the massive jet breaks down, point by point. Global Air shares the following specifications for the A380:
- Exterior Height: 79 ft 1 in (24.1 m)
- Wing Span: 261 ft 8 in (79.8 m)
- Length: 238 ft 7 in (72.8 m)
- Cabin Width: 23 ft 5 in (7.14 m)
- Cabin Length: 163 ft 8 in (49.9 m)
- Crew: 2
- Passengers: 544
- Max T/O Weight: 1.268M Lb (575,000 kg)
- Max Landing Weight: 869,000 Lb (394,625 kg)
- Operating Weight: 610,200 Lb (276,726 kg)
- Empty Weight: 814,000 Lb (369,677 kg)
- Fuel Capacity: 84,600 gal (320,200 L) Lb
- Max Range: 8,200 nm (15,186 km)
- Service Ceiling: 43,100 ft (13,137 m)
- Takeoff Distance: 9,680 ft (2,950 m)
- Max Speed: 510 kts (944 km/h)
- Normal Cruise: 500 kts (926 km/h)
- Engines: 4
-
Engine Mfg: Engine Alliance and
Rolls-Royce - Engine Model: GP 7200 and RR Trent 900
A renewed market for the giant
An airplane once considered too costly and unwieldy is rewriting its story in 2025. The price of used A380s has gone up in changing market conditions, resurrected long-haul routes, and new deployments. Its current valuations reflect shared optimism among potential buyers.
The A380’s raw capacity along with its passenger appeal are prized qualities for carriers 
Emirates, 
British Airways, and more recent arrivals like Global Airlines. Many have predicted the type’s swift demise, yet the A380 lives on in operation around the globe.
While the aviation industry has largely moved toward smaller, fuel-efficient twinjets, there remains a niche for this one-of-a-kind behemoth on high-volume routes. The outlook shows enough enthusiasm to satisfy both sellers and owners aiming to reinvest in the flying marvel that is the A380.
One-third of the total airframes built are currently inactive or have been scrapped/written off, but below is the current list of Airbus A380 fleets around the world:
