DOHA: Qatar Airways (QR) has begun moving several widebody aircraft into long-term storage as operational recovery slows due to ongoing regional instability. Key aircraft, including Airbus A380s and A350s, are being relocated to Teruel Airport (TEV) in Spain.
The move follows reduced flight activity at Hamad International Airport (DOH), where the airline has scaled back operations despite initial plans to restore capacity after recent airspace disruptions.
Qatar Airways is placing multiple widebody aircraft into deep storage at Teruel Airport (TEV), a facility operated by Tarmac Aerosave that specializes in long-term parking, maintenance, and recycling. The site can accommodate up to 120 aircraft and is widely used by global carriers during periods of reduced demand.
According to PYOK, the airline transferred five aircraft to Teruel on Friday. This included one Airbus A380 (A7-APC), previously grounded at London Heathrow Airport (LHR), along with four other widebody jets stranded across international locations since late February.
These aircraft include Airbus A350-900 units positioned at Cape Town International Airport (CPT), King Shaka International Airport (DUR), and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), as well as a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner held at O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB).
Earlier in the week, four Airbus A330 aircraft departed Hamad International Airport (DOH) for Teruel under non-commercial flight numbers. These ferry flights indicate that the airline is proactively reducing exposure at its Doha hub while managing fleet utilization.
The decision reflects both operational caution and cost control. Parking aircraft at major hubs like London Heathrow incurs high fees, making long-term storage facilities a more economical option during prolonged downturns.
This sharp reduction suggests that demand remains unstable, forcing the airline to adjust capacity and defer full-scale operations. The storage of high-capacity aircraft like the Airbus A380 further highlights expectations of a prolonged recovery period.
Beyond economic factors, security risks remain a key driver behind these decisions. The ongoing threat of missile and drone activity in the region has increased concerns about aircraft safety at Doha.
Qatar Airways Moves | A380 & A350 Fleet to Long-Term Storage Amid War
