Airbus to celebrate handover of A380-Megaliner to first customer Singapore Airlines in Toulouse today

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Airbus to celebrate handover of A380-Megaliner to first customer Singapore Airlines in Toulouse today
By Finfacts Team
Oct 15, 2007, 05:34

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The double-decker A380 is designed to accommodate up to 555 passengers comfortably. Singapore Airlines has had its jet fitted with 471 seats configured in three classes: 12 luxury suites on the main deck, 60 business class seats on the upper deck and 399 economy class seats on both decks. It will replace one of three Boeing 747-400 already in use on the Sydney-Singapore route. The Singapore Airlines jet includes features such as a cocktail bar with a water fountain and a duty-free lounge. Some airlines are expected to offer passengers the chance to freshen up with a shower.

Airbus will celebrate the first A380-Megaliner-handover to first customer Singapore Airlines on Monday, 15th October, with a dedicated delivery ceremony mid-morning. The event - hosted by Singapore Airlines, Rolls-Royce and Airbus - will take place at the Airbus Delivery Centre in Toulouse, France. The spacious double-decker aircraft is powered by four Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines.

“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,” said Tom Enders, Airbus President and Chief Executive Officer.

At the event, Singapore Airlines will reveal their new, spacious and luxurious A380 cabin-interior. What has been termed by Airbus, "the flagship of the 21st century" will take-off for Singapore on October 16, arriving at Singapore’s Changi International Airport the following day. The next generation, eco-efficient double-decker will enter service between Singapore and Sydney, with a special charity-flight, between both cities on 25/26th October. The scheduled services will commence daily from 28 October.

Being cleaner, greener, quieter and smarter, the A380 is already setting new environmental benchmarks in air-transport. Airbus says that per passenger, the A380 has an unmatched fuel efficiency of less than three litres per 100 kilometres.

Europe's biggest commercial aircraft manufacturer says that the A380 will provide more comfort in every class and more open space for relaxation. Customers will enjoy a new way of flying while benefiting from the quietest cabin in the sky. The aircraft’s efficiency and advanced technologies will result in higher operational flexibility and outstanding economics - with a range of more than 8,000 nm/ 15,000 km and seat-mile costs 20 percent lower than the former largest aircraft - the Boeing 747-400 jumbo.

To date, total orders and commitments for the A380 are 189 from 16 customers. Subsequent aircraft for delivery to Singapore Airlines, Emirates Airlines and Qantas are also well on track.

The list price of the A380 is $320 million but sales are generally heavily discounted. Production will begin at around 25-30 jets per year, rising to 45 by 2010. Airbus Commercial Director John Leahy has said that Airbus expects to sell well over 800 planes during the lifetime of the A380. French aerospace analyst Harald Liberge-Dondoux, estimates that Airbus needs to sell 470 superjumbos just to break even.

In 2006, US rival Boeing overtook Airbus in sales following delays in the production of the A380 and management upheavals in the mainly Franco-German run subsidiary of the EADS NV (European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company). Airbus has had five CEOs in recent years, big losses and plans to cut 10,000 jobs over four years.

Last week, Boeing announced a delivery delay of its mid-range 787 Dreamliner, which is based on a new model of aircraft manufacturing.