The superjumbo aircraft is back in the air after nearly three years.
F-WWOW during takeoff (Photo: Airbus)
The first-ever Airbus A380 is flying again for the first time since 2022. The aircraft – registered as F-WWOW – debuted in 2005 and was the A380’s first prototype jet.
According to Flightradar24 data, the aircraft’s last test flight was in May 2022. Since then, it has been stored at Airbus’ Toulouse, France, manufacturing facility.
Its latest flight was on Friday, a three-hour test mission to and from Toulouse. This was the first in a series of test flights, Airbus said.
Airbus flight test team (Photo: Airbus)
“After months of preparation, system upgrades and the renewal of its test installations, our teams kicked off a series of flight test activities this week,” the manufacturer shared on social media. “These tests enable the certification of all the latest developments that keep the A380 in-service fleet flying at the highest standards of safety and reliability.”
While some of the superjumbo jets were retired during the COVID-19 pandemic, 189 A380s remain in active service worldwide. Ten airlines continue to operate the aircraft.
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