Surplus Singapore Air A380s set for paint shop to lure users

Aircraft-leasing firm Doric is preparing to take back five Airbus A380 superjumbos from Singapore Airlines starting next year, in a move that would be the first test of second-hand demand for the world’s biggest jetliner. While Singapore Air hasn’t officially decided to return the planes, London-based Doric and fellow owner Dr. Peters Fund KG of Germany are preparing for their possible refurbishment, reserving time in paint shops and exploring the availability of hundreds of replacement seats. “It appears possible that Singapore will not exercise its lease extension,” Doric MD Bernd Reber said. The asset manager is also working with Airbus to highlight the possible availability of the double-deckers to potential users. Singapore Air was the initial A380 buyer and operates 19 of the jets, second only to Dubai-based Emirates, on routes including London, New York and Beijing. The first 10-year leases expire in 2017, though until now Doric and Dr. Peters had said the carrier would likely exercise an option to keep the five aircraft for two further years, even though it has five more new planes due. Reber said tier-one airlines are among parties interested in the Singapore jets. British Airways parent IAG has said its evaluating the possibility of taking used A380s to supplement the 12 planes it has already ordered for BA, and that aircraft could even be allocated to its Iberia and Aer Lingus units. There’s no established second-hand trade in the aircraft yet because the first example was handed over only in 2007, while the market will also lack liquidity, with only 180 planes in service with a dozen operators. Singapore Air said in an e-mailed statement that it has yet to make a firm decision on whether to extend the leases on its first five planes.<br/>