The Australian Oneworld member Qantas actually wanted to be in the air again with 2024 Airbus A12s by the end of 380. Now it has to be admitted that this goal cannot be achieved because there is a lack of spare parts and there is too little maintenance capacity available. The consequence of this: the flight plan must be thinned out.

Qantas temporarily shut down its 12 Airbus A380-800s due to the corona pandemic. The machines were stored in Victorville, USA. In contrast to other providers, the management never doubted the comeback and promised that the superjumbos would return to regular service step by step.

Qantas has now reactivated ten units, although only eight of them are in regular service. The VH-OQA and the VH-OQC have been in Abu Dhabi for some time, although it is still unclear when they can be transferred to Australia. In addition, the cabin of the VH-OQL is due to be overhauled, so that only seven units will be available temporarily.

For those two units that have not yet been reactivated, there is a lack of spare parts that can be delivered at short notice as well as available maintenance capacities in specialized MRO companies. In an internal email it is said that the core cause of this is the global problems in the supply chains and that this is not an isolated case, but that numerous other carriers are also affected.

Between July and October 2024, Qantas will have to reduce frequencies or use smaller aircraft on numerous long-haul routes due to a lack of aircraft, which will lead to a reduction in the capacity offered. This circumstance is also inconvenient for another reason, as Australian consumer protection accuses the carrier of deliberately keeping the range limited last year in order to be able to charge high prices. In doing so, Qantas literally fueled inflation.