The Hindu : International : World’s largest aircraft touches down in Singapore

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Oct 18, 2007
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International

International

World’s largest aircraft touches down in Singapore

S. Annamalai

SINGAPORE: The world’s largest commercial aircraft, A380, landed at the Changi airport here on Wednesday from Toulouse, France, to an impressive water salute from fire tenders, a colourful Chinese lion dance and the beating of traditional drums. The touchdown was witnessed by Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and a host of invitees.

A milestone

The event, Mr. Lee said, was a milestone in aviation history.

Chief Operating Officer of Airbus Industrie John Leahy described the “gentle, green giant” as a “shining example” of what can be done to conserve ecology.

Singapore Airlines chairman Stephen Lee was confident that the aircraft would be a “game changer” for passenger comfort and greater efficiency. It was “a quantum leap in the standards of air travel.”

The A380 is expected to create new benchmarks in aviation in terms of environmental pollution, passenger comfort and pricing. Ordered by the Singapore Airlines in September 2000, it incorporates features that are claimed to be environment and passenger-friendly. Powered by four Rolls Royce Trent 900 engines, the double-decked A380 can accommodate 555 passengers in a three-class configuration. But the Singapore Airlines has settled for a capacity of 471 passengers.

The salient features of A380 are its “lowest fuel burn,” larger capacity and significantly low noise level. It consumes 17 per cent less fuel a seat than the largest aircraft in service and emits 75 grams of carbon dioxide a passenger a km, again lower than other aircraft. It has a fuel efficiency of 2.9 litres a 100 km a passenger and incorporates Krisworld, the “most powerful and advanced in flight entertainment system.”

The occasion also marked the unveiling of a new class, ‘Singapore Airlines Suite,’ promoted as “a class above and beyond the first,” along with enhanced business and economy classes. The suite offers everything a star hotel has for the travellers, along with privacy. Lt. Gen. (Retired) Bey Soo Khiang, Senior Executive Vice-President, Singapore Airlines, hoped that this aircraft would put “air travel in a new light.”

The first flight of A380 will be from Singapore and Sydney on October 25, for which much hype had been created in the region through the online charity auction that has fetched over Singapore $1.9 million. The proceeds from the auction of seats for two-way travel will be split among the Community Chest, Singapore; Children’s City Hospital and The Children’s Hospital in Sydney and Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders).

The actual commercial operation will begin on October 28.

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