A380 grounded in Dubai, weeks after launch

Emirates Airline's first A380 has been grounded just weeks after it was first launched, Arabian Business can reveal.

Scheduled engineering on the airline’s only operating A380 is taking longer than expected and has forced the airline to replace Friday’s scheduled flight of the super jumbo with a Boeing 777, the airline said on Thursday.

“The A380 was scheduled for a flight tomorrow. However, in place of the A380, we will be operating our Boeing 777-300ER to New York JFK, which also offers private suites in First Class and lie-flat seats in Business Class,” an Emirates spokesperson told Arabian Business.

“Our teams are working hard to minimise any inconvenience caused to our passengers. Our A380 will be deployed on commercial service again as soon as possible.”

The news is a further blow to the Dubai-based airline, which is by far the A380’s largest customer with 58 aircraft on order. Last week the airline announced delivery of its second A380 was delayed by several weeks.

Emirates received its first A380 on July 28, following a two-year delay from plane manufacturer Airbus.

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