The first Airbus A380 superjumbo is set to make its commercial debut in October, it has been confirmed.
Airbus' delivery of its new flagship aircraft has been plagued by production delays and technical problems, but the company announced today that it will formally hand over the first A380 to Singapore Airlines on October 15th.
The handover will be marked by a ceremony in Toulouse, France – the base of Airbus' parent company EADS.
In a separate statement the carrier revealed that the world's biggest-ever passenger plane will make its debut on October 25th, with Singapore Airlines' chief executive Chew Choon Seng pledging that the first flight "promises to be one of the most exciting occasions in aviation history".
The first paying passengers to fly on the A380 will take off from Singapore's Changi International Airport on a flight to Sydney.
Airbus has claimed that the A380 is "cleaner, greener, quieter and smarter" than other aircraft.
Capable of carrying more than 500 passengers the giant plane has a fuel efficiency of 2.9 litres per 100 kilometres, Airbus claims that those travelling on the A380 "will enjoy a new way of flying while benefiting from the quietest cabin in the sky".
The company claims that seat per mile costs are also 20 per cent lower on the A380 compared to comparable aircraft.
Airbus has revealed that it has received a total of 173 orders for its new superjumbo from 14 customers.
"The subsequent aircraft for delivery to Singapore Airlines, Emirates Airlines and Qantas are also well on track," the manufacturer confirmed.
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