China Southern Airlines recives it's first A380
China’s biggest carrier has five A380s on order, and will introduce service with its no. 1 aircraft later this month between the major Chinese cities of Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou – to be followed by operations on international routes.
This was the 58th A380 delivered to date by Airbus, making China Southern Airlines the seventh operator to receive the world’s largest passenger jetliner since revenue flights began in October 2007. To date, A380s have flown more than 350,000 hours and carried over 15 million passengers.
“Four years of operation show that airlines who fly the A380 increase capacity, gain market share and improve load factors – with an A380 now taking off or landing every 15 minutes,” explained Airbus President and CEO Tom Enders during today’s ceremony.
Enders said the A380 is well suited for the development of China’s air transport sector – with the country’s growing wealth and urbanization creating a demand for more than 200 such very large aircraft by 2030. “Our forecast shows China will remain one of the fastest growing aviation markets for the next 20 years,” he continued. “As China’s first A380 operator and customer, China Southern is getting a head start against the competition.”
The other carriers with A380s currently in their fleets are Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Qantas, Air France, Lufthansa and Korean Air. These aircraft are meeting their performance specifications while serving 25 major cities worldwide, including flights that link the Middle East and Europe to Beijing and Shanghai in China.
Source: Airbus
China Southern Airlines’ first A380 makes its maiden flight
The first A380 for China Southern Airlines has successfully completed its maiden flight as it touched down at Hamburg airport
The first of five Airbus A380s for China Southern Airlines has made its maiden flight today after completion of the final assembly and system tests in Toulouse.
The aircraft, powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines, flew from Toulouse, France to Hamburg, Germany, where the cabin will be installed and the aircraft will be painted in full China Southern livery.
The green colour of the aircraft shown is a protective coating against corrosion.
China Southern ordered five A380s in April, 2005, becoming the first A380 client in China. China Southern Airlines will become the seventh A380 operator and the delivery of the aircraft is scheduled later in 2011.
Source: China Southern
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