Singapore Airlines, Scoot and SilkAir planes have flown to Alice Springs, Australia and they will remain parked in the desert airport for the next few months.

News of the temporary relocation was reported in the last week of April 2020.

A total of 17 aircraft across the three group airlines will be in long-term storage.

They started making their way to Alice Springs Airport as early as April 25.

Both Scoot and SilkAir are subsidiaries of SIA.

What type of planes?

At least four massive Airbus 380s have landed in Alice Springs, as well as three SIA Boeing 777-200ERs, two Scoot A320s, and six SilkAir Boeing 737 MAX 8s.

The locals in Alice Springs greeted the unusual arrival with anticipation.

It has been predicted the planes will be out of action for at least three to four months minimum.

The number of A380s in Alice Springs reportedly amount to a 20 per cent cut in SIA's operational A380 fleet.

Why Alice Springs?

Alice Springs Airport is home to the region’s only long-term aircraft storage facility.

A dry desert climate is essential for preserving aircraft in long-term storage.

The planes would otherwise fare poorly if they are left continuously unused in humid environments like Singapore's.

If business there is thriving, it is a harbinger of bad news for the aviation industry.

You can check out the rest of the photos here, which show the actual size difference between the massive A380s and puny A320s:

Top photo via Steve Strike