Emirates is putting its A380 super jumbo back in the sky.
The airline announced it will fly the world's largest passenger jet on its Dubai to London Heathrow, and Dubai to Paris routes from Monday, July 15.
Since travel restrictions were imposed across much of the world, demand for passenger flights during the coronavirus pandemic has been spectacularly low. As a result, Emirates – and many other airlines – grounded most of its fleet, including its 104 Airbus A380s.
With the capacity to carry up to 615 passengers in a two-class configuration, the jet has not had the justification to take to the air due to the low number of people flying.
Dubai's easing of travel restrictions seems to have changed that with Emirates announcing the return of the A380 on Twitter.
Known for its luxury services, the Emirates A380 will return to the sky missing a few of its trademark premium offerings for passengers in Business and First class. Restrictions in place because of the coronavirus mean there will be no in-flight shower spa or upper deck lounge access. Passengers will still be offered the airline's dine-on-demand service, duvets and amenity kits.
While Emirates is resuming its luxury-orientated A380 services, the airline is still in the process of managing nearly half a million refund requests after thousands of flights were cancelled due to Covid-19 related travel restrictions. Emirates has assured travellers they will receive refunds by early August.
Emirates also announced it will commence flights for travellers to Dhaka from Wednesday, June 24 and to Munich from Wednesday, July 15.
The airline is currently flying to 40 destinations to, from and through Dubai, with more cities expected to be added to the network imminently. The airline released an advert proclaiming that Dubai is now open to travellers after the emirate announced that tourists could return in July.
The A380 will operate on Emirates's twice-daily route between Dubai and London Heathrow. It will also operate on flights to and from Paris.
As one of the first airlines to place an order for the spacious twin-deck Airbus A380, Emirates was flying it to 49 cities on six continents before the pandemic.
The coronavirus could not keep one of the most revered passenger jets down for long. With its return to the sky, the super jumbo can soar again.
