Airbus Delivers Its 'Superjumbo' A380

Running eighteen months behind schedule and $6.8 billion over budget, Airbus will finally deliver the first A380, the world's biggest passenger jet to its first customer Singapore Airlines on Monday, Tom Enders, Airbus President and Chief Executive Officer announced.

The exclusive event hosted collectively by Singapore Airlines, Rolls-Royce and Airbus itself will take place at the Airbus Delivery Centre in Toulouse, France.

Powered by four Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines, the spacious double-decker aircraft has have two decks, each bisected by two aisles. With a seating capacity of around 550 passengers, the airplane promises unmatched fuel-and-cost efficiency per passenger.

The liner’s upper deck extends along the entire length of the fuselage, thus ensuring more comfort and open space for the passengers. Based on advanced technology, the customers are sure to enjoy the quietest cabin in the sky.

Acknowledging the hardships going in the way to complete the mega-task, Enders said, “This is a major milestone for the A380 programme, and I would like to express my deepest appreciation to all parties concerned. I want to thank our teams and all those who worked hard, days, nights, and week-ends, for their dedication and commitment.”

Scheduled for its initial delivery in early 2005, it’s been a rutted ride building the leviathan plane. Airbus announced the first delay in June 2005, with the delivery schedule undergoing a shift of six to seven months, followed by the second delay notification in June 2006. Later in October 2006, upon completion of a review of the A380 program the company announced the third delay of the ‘Superjumbo’.

Upon delivery, the double-decker will take a special charity-flight on October 25 between Singapore and Sydney, while commercial flights will commence daily from 28 October.

About Airbus

Airbus, an EADS Company (European Aeronautic Defence & Space Co,) is a leading aircraft manufacturer with the most modern and comprehensive product line.

Headquartered at Toulouse, France, the manufacturing, production and sub-assembly of parts for Airbus aircraft are distributed around sixteen sites in four Europe countries -Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and Spain - with final assembly in Toulouse and Hamburg.

Furthermore, Airbus also has three subsidiaries for engineering design, sales and support in the USA, Japan and China.