The world's biggest passenger jet, an Airbus A380 superjumbo, made its UK debut today when it flew into London's Heathrow Airport to carry out tests.
The 555-seater double-decker super-jumbo, powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines, flew from the Berlin Air Show to Heathrow, where it was greeted by a reception including British finance minister Gordon Brown.
London will likely be the A380's first European destination when it enters scheduled service later in the year for Singapore Airlines.
The compatability tests, carried out with British airports operator BAA, are aimed at checking out the super-jumbo's new home at Heathrow, the world's busiest international airport. The A380 can transport between 555 and 840 people or 40% more than the Boeing 747.
Singapore Airlines will be the first carrier to put the plane into passenger service. Other airlines that have placed orders include Virgin Atlantic, Qantas, Qatar Airways and Dubai-based Emirates. Thus far, 16 airlines have lodged a total of 159 firm orders for the Airbus plane.
BAA is meanwhile spending £450m to enable Heathrow to be ready to take the A380 and other ultra-large aircraft of the future. In addition to terminal work, investments have included runway resurfacing, upgrading runway lighting and the construction of new taxiways.
