Each week, airlines around the world submit schedule changes to Cirium Diio, OAG, etc. In the latest update, Qatar Airways has cut over 12,000 flights planned for April and May. It has suspended service to 60+ destinations.

Among the most notable changes is that the oneworld member grounded all eight Airbus A380s in April and May. And depending on the war in Iran, the timeline could easily be pushed back. Indeed, rumors are circulating that Qatar Airways is offering ticket refunds through July. If true, it is clearly planning for extended problems.

Qatar Airways' Grounds A380s In April & May

The huge Gulf carrier was a relatively late user of the double-decker quadjet. Its first frame, which was registered A7-APA, was delivered in September 2014. That was seven years after the type's launch customer, which was Singapore Airlines, received its first example.

According to ch-aviation, Qatar Airways has ten superjumbos, of which eight frames are usually flown. However, two aircraft—including Papa Alpha—have been stored since 2020 and are unlikely to be used again.

The following table summarizes where each of the carrier's eight usually-operational A380s are currently parked. Fortunately, all eight aircraft are now back in Doha, which will be highly useful when normal flights resume. It is interesting that several frames operated commercially in March, after the war began, but were subsequently parked.

The A380 Is Due To Return On June 1 

The latest schedule update suggests that Qatar Airways will once again fly the first-class-equipped, 517-seat A380s commercially on June 1.

On that day in the early summer, five departures from Doha are planned. The first service is due to leave the Gulf at 1:10 am to London Heathrow, followed by 2:30 am to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi, 2:35 am to Singapore, 8:45 am to Paris CDG, and 8:05 pm to Sydney. Whether this happens remains to be seen.

Let's focus on June to December. In this period, Qatar Airways' A380s will most often be flown to Bangkok, with a 10-weekly service to the Thai capital. However, the frequency is due to reduce to daily from November. London, Paris, Singapore, and Sydney will all be served daily through the rest of 2026.

Clearly, more flights are planned for the winter. For example, Cirium data shows that the carrier's superjumbos are due to operate 305 departures from Doha in November/December. That's down by 22% compared to the same two months last year. Either another route will see the type, or—perhaps more likely—Bangkok will have more flights on it. After all, three to four daily departures were available in those months last year.

Global Superjumbo Activity Has Fallen By 7% In A week

Let's return to April to May. In those two months, the latest data shows that all A380 operators plan 12,449 two-way scheduled flights on the equipment. Superjumbo activity has fallen by 7% week-over-week.

This is, of course, mainly because of Qatar Airways' grounding. However, it is also because of Emirates' planned lower activity (A380 services have fallen by 14%) and Etihad Airways (-2%). It is notable how little Etihad's offering has dropped. However, compared to the two months in 2025, its services are down by 16%.

Singapore Airlines is the only non-Gulf carrier to have fewer A380 flights in April and May. Compared to last week, its offering has fallen by 6%, which is entirely due to removing the type from its Dubai route. When writing, it is unclear where the freed-up aircraft will fly.

Source: Simple Flyoing