Air France has dispatched Airbus A380 F-HPJB to Luqa Malta for repainting ahead of a handing the aircraft back to aircraft asset management and leasing firm Dr Peters early nest year.
The superjumbo jet flew into Malta on 23rd November for repainting at Aviation Cosmetics before it will. according to schedule, return to operations for Air France for a few flights. Then it will be returned to Dr Peters in February.
The German asset management firm says it expects to take back another of the double-decked aircraft from the French national carrier in 2020. The remaining three aircraft's leases expire in mid-2021, mid-2022 and mid-2024, it says.
There are no clear plans for what will happen to the aircraft at this stage, Dr Peters says it is in contact with the manufacturer, Airbus and is considering "all possible options" and "We focus on delivering the highest value for our investors,".
It isn't clear if there is a second-hand market for the A380, only one aircraft has been reused by a secondary carrier, Hi-Fly, which has used the A380 to operate wet-lease charters for a number of customers, including Norwegian and the UK's CAA.
F-HPJB, @Airbus A380 @airfrance, arrived in Malta today to be painted all white @ Aviation Cosmetics Malta, then it will be returned to lessor (Dr. Peters Group). By 2022 @AFnewsroom will retire their 10 A380s. Pics: Mario Caruana (1/2). @SpaethFlies @HofmannAviation @a380fanclub pic.twitter.com/7P5ZrYThZH— Aeronews (@AeronewsGlobal) 23. November 2019
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