LONDON- British Airways (BA) cancels its Airbus A380 flights between London Heathrow (LHR) and Singapore (SIN), affecting approximately 900 passengers.
The cancellation impacts flight BA11 to Singapore and the return BA12 to London, originally scheduled for Friday and Saturday respectively. Most affected passengers have been rebooked on Friday flights.
British Airways Cancels Singapore Flight
This incident adds to a series of A380-related disruptions British Airways has faced this summer, Independent UK reported.
Rhys Jones, the aviation editor for Head for Points, reports that 4% of BA’s planned A380 flights have been canceled or operated with smaller aircraft, significantly higher than normal expectations for a single aircraft type.
The London to Washington DC route has experienced the highest disruption rate, with one in six flights affected between June 1 and September 20. This route offers numerous alternative options for passengers due to its high frequency and multiple carriers.
British Airways operates a fleet of 12 A380s. However, Jones reveals that in early September, one-third of this fleet was out of service. The airline’s summer schedules were designed assuming 10 active A380s, highlighting the impact of these groundings on operations.
The A380 has faced severe reliability issues since its return to service in 2021. These problems have led to frequent flight cancellations and aircraft substitutions, disrupting travel plans and potentially impacting British Airways’ operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.
Challenges with A380 Fleet
British Airways faces ongoing challenges with its Airbus A380 fleet. Two aircraft have encountered specific issues, impacting the airline’s operations.
The A380 registered as G-XLEK was limited to a 28,000-foot altitude due to satellite communication system problems, significantly below its normal cruising altitude and reducing fuel efficiency.
Another A380, G-XLEJ, returned from a two-month overhaul in Manila but required additional maintenance after only two commercial services. These issues highlight the complexity of maintaining the world’s largest passenger aircraft.
British Airways acknowledges the A380’s importance in its fleet despite its small numbers. The airline emphasizes safety as its top priority and works closely with manufacturers and suppliers to ensure proper maintenance. When technical issues arise, BA provides alternative options for affected passengers.
The airline’s options for replacing unavailable A380s are limited. Smaller aircraft like Boeing 777s, 787s, and Airbus A350s have significantly fewer seats, typically around 200 less than the A380. This capacity difference complicates flight rescheduling and passenger accommodation.
BA’s long-haul fleet flexibility is further constrained by an incident in April involving an A350 damaged by a Virgin Atlantic Boeing 787. The A350 has been out of service all summer, with repairs only recently beginning after the arrival of necessary parts via an Airbus BelugaXL freighter.
Under current air passenger rights regulations, each A380 flight cancellation could cost British Airways over £240,000 in compensation if all passengers claim their entitlements.
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