Two Unwanted A380s Are Moving Closer to the Scrapheap

Unwanted superjumbos set to be taken apart for components
British Airways and others decided not to buy double-deckers

An Airbus SAS A380 aircraft performs a flying display on the opening day of the 51st International Paris Air Show in Paris, France, on Monday, June 15, 2015. The 51st International Paris Air Show is the world's largest aviation and space industry exhibition and takes place at Le Bourget airport June 15 - 21.Photographer: Jasper Juinen

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By Tom Lavell and Benedikt Kammel

June 5, 2018 at 9:50 AM UTC

Updated on

June 5, 2018 at 1:09 PM UTC

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Two of Airbus SE’s flagship A380 superjumbos are headed for the scrap heap after a search for new operators failed to secure firm bids.

Negotiations with British Airways, Iran Air and Hi Fly, a Portuguese charter specialist, ended without any deals, German investment fund Dr. Peters, which manages the planes, said in a statement to shareholders. The aircraft are already parked in the foothills of the French Pyrenees, where they will be filleted over the next two years by a specialist company and sold in parts.