Why Did a Singapore Aircraft Appear in the Australian Desert?

Storage of Aircraft Not Operating Due to COVID-19

Dry Desert Areas Pose Lower Risk of Aircraft Corrosion Compared to Hot and Humid Singapore Climate

▲A portion of Singapore Airlines passenger aircraft stored in the Australian desert area of Alice Springs. [Photo source = Social Media]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jaehee] Some of Singapore Airlines' passenger aircraft, which have suspended operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, are drawing attention as they are being stored in the Australian desert.

According to local media on the 7th, some of the Singapore Airlines (SIA) A380 aircraft are being stored at the Asia-Pacific Aircraft Storage facility (APAS) located in Alice Springs, a desert area in Australia. Out of 200 SIA aircraft, except for 10 passenger planes and 7 cargo planes, the rest are currently not operating. While many aircraft are parked at Singapore Changi Airport, 17 SIA aircraft are stored in the Australian desert.

An SIA spokesperson stated, "Among the aircraft not operating due to COVID-19, most are stored at Changi Airport, and a few are stored overseas. They are managed in locations where appropriate inspections and maintenance can be carried out during this period."

The reason for storing SIA aircraft in Alice Springs, Australia, a desert area, is that the dry climate there is considered suitable for aircraft storage.

In particular, due to the hot and humid climate characteristics of Singapore, storing aircraft without operation in Singapore for a long period increases the risk of airframe corrosion.

According to the travel media 'Traveler,' currently, about 16,000 aircraft that are not operating due to the COVID-19 situation are stored at airports or other locations, accounting for 61% of the total number of passenger aircraft.

These aircraft are stored at 876 airports and related facilities worldwide, with the largest number stored at the United States' Roswell International Air Center. Approximately 350 aircraft are stored there.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.