A Lufthansa Airbus A380 Has Been Scrapped & You Can Buy A Part
•February 16, 2026
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Companies Mentioned
Airbus
Boeing
BA
Why It Matters
The sale turns a decommissioned aircraft into a revenue stream and preserves aviation heritage, while Lufthansa’s gradual shift away from fuel‑intensive quad‑jets underscores broader industry pressure to modernize fleets.
Key Takeaways
- •Lufthansa mothballed six A380s, now scrapping D‑AIMI.
- •Aviationtag sells original A380 fuselage tags for €42.95.
- •D‑AIMI logged 25,199 hours, 2,590 flights.
- •Lufthansa only airline to have operated A340, A380, 747‑400, 747‑8.
- •Quad‑jets remain viable if kept full despite higher fuel burn.
Pulse Analysis
The COVID‑19 pandemic forced airlines worldwide to reassess large‑capacity aircraft, and Lufthansa was no exception. While the carrier kept the A380 type on its books, six airframes were grounded and eventually sent to storage sites in France and Spain. D‑AIMI, the last of these to leave the line, accumulated more than 25,000 flight hours across 2,590 long‑haul missions before being sold back to Airbus and later to a U.S. dismantling firm. This move reflects Lufthansa’s broader strategy to trim fuel‑guzzling quad‑jets as it transitions toward a twin‑jet‑dominant fleet.
Up‑cycling decommissioned aircraft parts has emerged as a niche but growing market, catering to enthusiasts who value tangible pieces of aviation history. Aviationtag, a specialist in repurposing aircraft skin, acquired sections of D‑AIMI’s fuselage and now offers them as keyrings and bag tags priced at €42.95. By preserving the original aluminum panels and branding, the company taps into the emotional connection many fans have with the A380, turning scrap metal into collectible memorabilia. This business model not only generates modest revenue from otherwise waste material but also extends the aircraft’s legacy beyond its operational life.
Lufthansa’s continued operation of both Airbus and Boeing quad‑jets sets it apart in an industry racing toward more efficient twin‑engine models like the A350 and 787. Although the A380 and 747‑8 consume more fuel per seat, they can remain cost‑effective when flown at high load factors, a condition Lufthansa strives to meet on premium long‑haul routes. The airline’s unique fleet composition—spanning the A340, A380, 747‑400, and 747‑8—highlights its commitment to capacity flexibility, yet the aging average of these giants signals an inevitable shift. As manufacturers phase out new quad‑jet production, carriers will increasingly rely on up‑cycling initiatives and strategic retirements to balance financial performance with sustainability goals.
A Lufthansa Airbus A380 Has Been Scrapped & You Can Buy A Part
Lufthansa Airbus A380 Upcycled into Aviationtags
While the Lufthansa Airbus A380 survived the COVID‑19 pandemic as a type, some of the fleet did not. The German flag carrier decided to mothball six of the giant aircraft during the pandemic. These planes, flown to Tarbes and Teruel, have now started to be scrapped, but that’s not the end of their stories.
When planes are scrapped, some companies buy parts of the fuselage with the intention of up‑cycling them. One such company, Aviationtag, has purchased parts of the Airbus A380 registered as D‑AIMI and is now selling them to aviation fans as keyrings, bag tags, or simply mementos.
You Can Own Part Of This Airbus A380
![A white aircraft skin tag attached to a blue and white display card. The card reads “ORIGINAL AIRCRAFT SKIN” and “AIRBUS A380,” featuring the Lufthansa logo and details for aircraft D‑AIMI (MSN 72), noting a first flight in 2012 and a last flight in 2021. The tag itself is white with a gray engraved outline of an A380 and the text “AIRBUS A380” and “REGISTRATION NO. D‑AIMI.”]
Credit: Aviationtag
Unlike the recent Etihad A380 edition, the Lufthansa Airbus A380 Aviationtags are only available in white. The airline’s A380 livery is mostly white, and Lufthansa branding was removed from the aircraft before it was dismantled. The tags are being sold for €42.95 ($50.99). Each tag features fuselage taken from the area in front of the wing.
Commenting on the release, Aviationtag CCO Tobias Richter told Simple Flying:
“With this edition we are continuing our long‑standing collaboration with Lufthansa. For many aviation fans the A380 is an emotional symbol and we want to preserve that in a tangible collectors piece.”
All About The Airbus A380 D‑AIMI
![A decommissioned Airbus A380 parked on a paved storage area under a thick, grey overcast sky. The aircraft is painted in a plain white and grey livery with windows, doors, and various sensors sealed with blue and silver protective tape. Its large engines are covered with bright red protective caps.]
Credit: Aviationtag
The jet was ferried to its final resting place of Tarbes, France, on 22 February 2021, and sold back to Airbus in October 2023. It was then sold on to a U.S. company called Setna IO in February 2025. In its time flying with Lufthansa, the huge quad‑jet logged 25,199 flight hours across 2,590 flights, giving an average flight time of 9.72 hours per flight.
Lufthansa Sticks By Quadjets
While the German flag carrier has retired some Airbus A380s, it remains unique as the only airline to have operated the Airbus A340, Airbus A380, Boeing 747‑400, and Boeing 747‑8 concurrently. At a time when many airlines have scrapped quad‑jets in favour of more fuel‑efficient twin‑jets such as the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787, Lufthansa is slowly moving toward a twin‑jet‑dominant fleet but cannot acquire the needed aircraft quickly enough.
According to ch‑aviation, the average age of the remaining A380s and Boeing 747‑8s in Lufthansa’s fleet is 13.9 years and 12.3 years, respectively. Although the giants burn more fuel, they can still be cost‑effective if Lufthansa can keep them full.
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