19 January 2005
The A380 was launched at Airbus’s plant in Toulouse, France in mid January in front of 4,500 VIP guests and the leaders of the four European countries – including Britain – involved in the $12 billion project.
With two decks running its whole length and a wingspan of 250ft, Airbus F-WWOW makes a Boeing 747 look small.
The A380 is the biggest civil aircraft in the world and will carry up to 850 passengers, 35 per cent more than a 747, and has around 50 per cent more floor space.
Singapore Airlines will next year become the first to fly the A380, which has British-built wings, undercarriage and fuel system as well as Rolls-Royce engines.
The wings are made by BAE Systems at Broughton, North Wales, the Trent engines come from the Rolls-Royce plant in Derby and the company’s Filton team designed the landing gear.
It will start test flights later in the spring before going into service next year
Around 150 firm orders have already been placed at £86million each – including 41 to Emirates Airlines and 15 to Lufthansa. About 250 need to be sold for the break-even point to be reached.
