Qantas’ oldest A380 is back in service after being in storage for 17 months. The aircraft, registered VH-OQA, was originally delivered to the Australian carrier on September 19th, 2008. It is the world’s oldest active A380. The aircraft landed back at Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD) after a 13 hour flight from Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) on April 6th, 2024. The 16+ year old aircraft first underwent maintenance in California before being stored in Abu Dhabi.

On November 4th, 2010, VH-OQA was involved in a catastrophic engine failure where one of its 4 Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines exploded shortly after take off from Singapore Changi International Airport (SIN). The incident occurred on flight QF32, a London to Sydney flight via Singapore. The aircraft managed to turn around and land back at Singapore with all 469 passengers and crew safe and uninjured.