Air France retires first A380 to Ireland

Airbus A380 at Farnborough Air Show (Image: Aviation Media Co.)

Air France (AF/FRA) has retired its first Airbus A380 Super-Jumbo and it has been flown to Knock, Ireland to be broken up.

The Airbus A380 touched down for the final time at the West Ireland airport yesterday and is the biggest aircraft ever seen at the airport.

The official twitter feed from the airport shared this video of the A380 landing.

Local aviation enthusiasts captured the unusual event and shared there images on Social Media.

The aircraft, F-HPJB, is just 10 years old but the move follows the current trend in aviation where twin-engined aircraft such as the A350 and Boeing 787 can operate long-haul routes much more efficiently.

At least two more A380’s are expected at Knock from Air France where they will be dismantled by Eirtrade Aviation.