On April 27, 2005, the world’s largest commercial aircraft took to the sky.
Soaring above Toulouse on its first-ever test flight, Airbus’ A380 put the wings in motion for a super-sized era of air travel – one filled with double-decker cabins, fully enclosed apartments and on-board shower spas.
Today, on the 15th anniversary of its maiden flight, only one A380 is currently in the sky. The coronavirus pandemic has forced the majority of the world’s superjumbos to the ground until further notice.
According to global flight tracking service Flightradar24, the only A380 currently in the sky is China Southern’s flight CZ328. The superjumbo departed Los Angeles around midnight on Monday, April 27 on a 13-hour flight towards Guangzhou. It is scheduled to land in China just before 6am on Tuesday, April 28.
Several airlines own A380 aircraft and, pre-pandemic, one of the jets took off or landed somewhere in the world every two minutes.
Emirates is the biggest fan of the aircraft, as the Dubai airline accounts for nearly half of all A380s sold. Sixteen other airlines also own A380s including Etihad, British Airways, All Nippon, Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa and Asiana. Before the coronavirus travel restrictions were implemented, this combined fleet made 330 flights per day, with services to more than 70 destinations.
Super-sized flying
More than 400 airports around the world are compatible with the aircraft, which is the largest passenger jet in history with a seating capacity of up to 853 and a maximum take-off weight of 575 tonnes.
The scale of the A380 is what allowed the world’s airlines to get creative when it came to flying. Emirates installed shower spas and an upper deck lounge on its jets while Etihad introduced The Residence, the only three-bedroom apartment in the sky. Singapore Airlines created first class suites with everything you’d expect from a luxury hotel room, and Korean Airways super-sized its A380 business seats and gave each one an individual sized movie theatre.
But bigger isn’t always better, especially in unprecedented situations. Several airlines around the world have grounded passenger flights and turned their focus instead to cargo and repatriation services.
The A380 has been used for a few of these special services, but as demand for repatriation drops, it is becoming less economical for airlines to continue operating such large jets. Smaller, more fuel-efficient aircraft are being prioritised to service repatriation efforts.
As the largest commercial jet in the sky, the A380 may have record-breaking seating capacity, wingspan and height, but it cannot match newer, more efficient aircraft on fuel consumption.
The beginning of the end
Last year, Airbus announced it would end production of the A380 in 2021 and focus instead on creating jets that are more economical.
But the storied jumbo is not consigned to history just yet. As soon as travel restrictions are lifted and airlines can get their fleets back in the air, the A380 will continue to fly. Emirates previously said it will be in operation until at least 2038.
On the 15th anniversary of the A380’s maiden flight, its parent company is fighting for survival. Reports released earlier today from Reuters state that Guillaume Faury, chief executive of Airbus, has written to employees of the company saying it is "bleeding cash at an unprecedented speed”.
Airbus has lost one third of its business due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Safety 'top priority' for rival hyperloop company
The chief operating officer of Hyperloop Transportation Technologies, Andres de Leon, said his company's hyperloop technology is “ready” and safe.
He said the company prioritised safety throughout its development and, last year, Munich Re, one of the world's largest reinsurance companies, announced it was ready to insure their technology.
“Our levitation, propulsion, and vacuum technology have all been developed [...] over several decades and have been deployed and tested at full scale,” he said in a statement to The National.
“Only once the system has been certified and approved will it move people,” he said.
HyperloopTT has begun designing and engineering processes for its Abu Dhabi projects and hopes to break ground soon.
With no delivery date yet announced, Mr de Leon said timelines had to be considered carefully, as government approval, permits, and regulations could create necessary delays.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League last-16, second leg:
Real Madrid 1 (Asensio 70'), Ajax 4 (Ziyech 7', Neres 18', Tadic 62', Schone 72')
Ajax win 5-3 on aggregate
Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
