The world's biggest passenger plane, the Airbus A380, completed
its first commercial flight to Europe at Heathrow Airport
today.
Aviation minister Jim Fitzpatrick was among dignitaries at Heathrow
to greet the Rolls-Royce-powered Singapore Airlines plane, whose
wings are made in the UK.
The 240ft-long aircraft had been given a rousing send-off by staff
at Singapore's Changi Airport and it was met at Heathrow by a water
cannon salute from fire brigade crews after its 6,800-mile
journey.
Perfect landing: The world's biggest passenger plane, the
Airbus A380, completes its first commercial flight to Europe at
Heathrow Airport today
The 471 passengers applauded loudly on touchdown at Heathrow,
which had spent more than £100 million to accommodate the A380 that
will not operate on a daily basis between Singapore and
London
The Dubai-based carrier Emirates will start A380 services to
Heathrow in December and Australian carrier Qantas is also expected
to use the superjumbo to fly to London.
In the future, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic will be flying
the A380 at Heathrow, where both terminal three and the new £4.3
billion Terminal 5 can take the new aircraft.
All of those on board were given a certificate with their names on
to mark the event, with intrepid traveller Mark Barden, 45, from
Southampton possibly the most worthy recipient.
Preparing to land: Singapore Airlines Airbus A380 flies over
the Palace of Westminster in London today as it approaches Heathrow
Airport for the first time with passengers
Space and comfort: Inside the huge aeroplane
Mr Barden, a male nurse, flew out to Singapore to be on
today's inaugural flight.
After just eight hours in the Far East, he was then flying back for
his third A380 trip in two days and was even contemplating going in
to work on Thursday.
The certificates passengers received were all signed by the captain
of the flight Gerard Yeap, 55, who said on the flight: "It is an
absolute pleasure to fly this plane. It's smooth and it's quiet and
you don't feel it is a really big plane."
Enjoying first class today was company director John Read, who was
returning from Melbourne after watching Lewis Hamilton win the
Australian Grand Prix.
Mr Read, from Cuffley, Hertfordshire, said: "It's superb. I can't
fault it. I booked the return flight to watch the Grand Prix hoping
I might be able to go on the superjumbo and I was very pleased to
have done so."
In-flight retail therapy: A duty-free store
One passenger who appreciated the "greenness" of the
new plane was retired environmental manager Roger Simpson, 56, from
Fowey, Cornwall, who was returning from a holiday in New Zealand
with his wife, Sue.
Mr Simpson said: "This plane is a big step forward. It's quiet and
roomy and it's less polluting."
Another UK couple returning from holiday in New Zealand were Edward
and Val Fielding from Aslacton, near Norwich, in Norfolk.
Passengers today were sitting in three classes - first class, which
has 12 luxury suites with 23-inch TV and cinema screens and double
beds; business class where 60 people can enjoy flat-bed sleeping;
and economy where nearly 400 passengers have seat-back screens and
more room than rival aircraft.
Singapore Airlines UK and Ireland general manager Marvin Tan said:
"The arrival of the first commercial A380 flight to London will be
a proud moment not only for Singapore Airlines but also for British
aviation, with the magnificent wings of the aircraft made in
Broughton, North Wales, and Filton, Bristol, and powered by
Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines."
Ian Godden, chief executive of the Society of British Aerospace
companies, said: "Aerospace is a manufacturing success story in the
UK, investing over £2.5 billion per year in research and
development.
Cooling off: Jets are used to hose down the Airbus after
landing
"Without the contributions from many British and British-based
companies air passengers around the world would literally not be
able to get off the ground.
"The country should be proud of the enormous contribution that more
than a quarter of a million UK aerospace workers make to keep the
global economy moving.
"At a time when there is a widely-held perception that Britain no
longer has much of a manufacturing industry the aerospace sector
conclusively proves otherwise."
Heathrow has spent more than £100 million on new facilities to
accommodate the A380 which will be flying in to Terminal 3.
The airport's new £4.3 billion Terminal 5, which was officially
opened by the Queen last week, can also take the superjumbo.
British Airways is due to take the first of its ordered A380s in
2012, with Sir Richard Branson's airline, Virgin Atlantic,
receiving its first superjumbo in 2013.
Singapore Airlines now has three A380s. Australian carrier Qantas
is due to take delivery of the first of its superjumbos this
summer, with Dubai-based airline Emirates beginning its A380
services from Dubai to London on December 1.
Source: Daily Mail UK, Mar.18, 2008