contraxdog
25th Apr 2005, 15:41
Found this on BBC's Headline website
"Airbus A380 to fly on Wednesday
European aircraft maker Airbus has scheduled the maiden flight of its giant A380 jumbo jet, the world's largest passenger plane, for Wednesday.
The first flight of the twin-deck aircraft has been keenly anticipated since it was unveiled at a glamorous and high profile ceremony in January.
Airbus has invested heavily in the A380 and hopes it will defend its position as the leading passenger plane maker.
Main rival Boeing has said it will focus on smaller aircraft.
Take off
The A380 will fly from its production site in Toulouse, southern France.
More than 50,000 people are expected to watch the flight, which will also be broadcast live on television, Agence France Presse said.
"The first flight will take place Wednesday, if weather permits and excluding a last-minute technical glitch," an Airbus spokeswoman told the news agency.
There is likely to be more than a year of flight-testing and certification-programme work before the A380 starts commercial services.
The project, hailed as a European success story by leaders including France's President Jacques Chirac, has had it share of problems.
In December 2004, Airbus owner EADS revealed that the project was £1bn (1.5bn euros; $1.9bn) over budget, at more than £8.4bn.
France's EADS owns 80% of Airbus, with the UK's BAE Systems controlling the remaining 20%.
Spat
Its production has also intensified a trade row between the US and Europe over subsidies paid to the aircraft industry.
The EU and US have accused each other of helping Airbus and Boeing with illegal state subsidies.
Talks broke down earlier this month and it looks as if both sides are heading for a showdown at the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
Airbus is banking on demand for large planes offering cheaper seats between the world's major cities, experts say.
Boeing, meanwhile, reckons that the future of air travel will be smaller planes flying to a greater number of airports."
"Airbus A380 to fly on Wednesday
European aircraft maker Airbus has scheduled the maiden flight of its giant A380 jumbo jet, the world's largest passenger plane, for Wednesday.
The first flight of the twin-deck aircraft has been keenly anticipated since it was unveiled at a glamorous and high profile ceremony in January.
Airbus has invested heavily in the A380 and hopes it will defend its position as the leading passenger plane maker.
Main rival Boeing has said it will focus on smaller aircraft.
Take off
The A380 will fly from its production site in Toulouse, southern France.
More than 50,000 people are expected to watch the flight, which will also be broadcast live on television, Agence France Presse said.
"The first flight will take place Wednesday, if weather permits and excluding a last-minute technical glitch," an Airbus spokeswoman told the news agency.
There is likely to be more than a year of flight-testing and certification-programme work before the A380 starts commercial services.
The project, hailed as a European success story by leaders including France's President Jacques Chirac, has had it share of problems.
In December 2004, Airbus owner EADS revealed that the project was £1bn (1.5bn euros; $1.9bn) over budget, at more than £8.4bn.
France's EADS owns 80% of Airbus, with the UK's BAE Systems controlling the remaining 20%.
Spat
Its production has also intensified a trade row between the US and Europe over subsidies paid to the aircraft industry.
The EU and US have accused each other of helping Airbus and Boeing with illegal state subsidies.
Talks broke down earlier this month and it looks as if both sides are heading for a showdown at the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
Airbus is banking on demand for large planes offering cheaper seats between the world's major cities, experts say.
Boeing, meanwhile, reckons that the future of air travel will be smaller planes flying to a greater number of airports."