Etihad Airways’ Airbus A380 A6-APB has finally left long-term storage in France, ending an extraordinary 6.5-year wait to return to the airline’s home base in Abu Dhabi.
The superjumbo departed Tarbes–Lourdes–Pyrénées Airport in southwest France, a location that has become synonymous with long-term A380 storage. A6-APB had been parked there since December 2020 after initially being grounded at Abu Dhabi as the COVID-19 pandemic brought global aviation to a standstill.
The aircraft’s return marks the completion of the reactivation of Etihad’s remaining A380 fleet. The airline originally operated 10 Airbus A380s, but one aircraft, A6-APA, was ultimately scrapped in 2025 after spending years in storage at Tarbes.
A6-APB is now the ninth and final Etihad A380 to return to service.
The aircraft’s journey home took it eastward across southern France before crossing the Mediterranean, Egypt and Saudi Arabia on its way to Abu Dhabi International Airport.
The return of the A380 also means more availability for Etihad’s premium cabins, including its famous “The Residence” — a private three-room luxury space featuring a living area, bedroom and private bathroom with a shower.
Etihad’s A380s now feature 496 seats, including 70 Business Class seats and 11 First Class seats on the upper deck, while the lower deck is dedicated entirely to Economy Class.
For aviation enthusiasts, the return of A6-APB is more than just another ferry flight. It marks the end of one of the longest storage periods for an aircraft that once seemed unlikely to ever fly again.
After more than six years sitting quietly in the French countryside, Etihad’s final stored A380 is finally heading home — and the iconic superjumbo is back in the skies.
