KUALA LUMPUR – One of the six retired Airbus A380s formerly operated by Malaysia Airlines is set to be dismantled at a facility in France, as part of an industry-wide move to recycle these iconic but ageing aircraft.
This plane has been acquired by Setna iO, a company specialising in aircraft recycling. It still retains three of its four Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines, which will be salvaged alongside other high-demand components, Aviationa2z reported.
Setna iO will oversee the disassembly in partnership with TARMAC Aerosave, a European leader in aircraft storage and recycling. All six of Malaysia Airlines’ retired A380s are stored at this same facility in France.
The decision comes as part of Malaysia Aviation Group’s fleet renewal initiative, which saw the airline return its A380 fleet in exchange for 20 Airbus A330-900neos. Since November 2024, Malaysia Airlines has received three of these new aircraft, including the latest arrival in April 2025.
The A380, the world’s largest commercial aircraft, was capable of seating 486 passengers in Malaysia Airlines’ three-class configuration. It represented a significant investment and reflected the airline’s commitment to competing on major international routes.
However, the superjumbo jets were often underutilised, mainly operating on routes to London, Hong Kong, Sydney, and for seasonal Haj and Umrah charters.
The aircraft’s large size and fuel consumption—using up to 200 tonnes of fuel for a London flight—posed economic difficulties. Additionally, infrastructure upgrades were required at Kuala Lumpur International Airport to handle its size.
As the aviation landscape evolved, Malaysia Airlines began phasing out its six A380s, returning them to Airbus Financial Services as part of the broader fleet renewal deal involving the Airbus A330-900neos. The move marked a shift towards more fuel-efficient and flexible aircraft.
Malaysia Airlines’ involvement with the A380 spanned a decade, from 2012 to 2022. The airline originally ordered six A380s in 2003, with deliveries initially expected in 2007, but production delays postponed the arrival. The first A380 was delivered in May 2012 and entered service on 1 July that year, operating between Kuala Lumpur and London.
By 2022, Malaysia Airlines had phased out the entire A380 fleet, with the last aircraft leaving service by the end of the year. The first retired A380 was sent to Tarbes–Lourdes–Pyrénées Airport in France for storage, and by the end of 2022, all six had been returned to Airbus and stored at the same facility. Now, in 2025, the retired jets are being dismantled.
Several factors contributed to the decision to retire the A380s. The market had shifted significantly by the time the aircraft were delivered, making them less competitive compared to other models.
Elsewhere in the aviation industry, Airbus appointed VAS Aero Services earlier this year to manage the dismantling of three additional A380s. These include two former Lufthansa aircraft stored in Spain and another retired Malaysia Airlines plane at the Tarbes facility.
According to industry data, 29 A380s have been scrapped so far, while roughly 175 remain in active service worldwide. Airlines such as Emirates, Singapore Airlines, and British Airways continue to operate the superjumbo, with Lufthansa recently reinstating eight aircraft due to delays in the Boeing 777X deliveries. – June 7, 2025