SIA to set date for A380 maiden flight
SINGAPORE – The date of Singapore Airlines’ maiden A380 commercial flight to Sydney in October will be announced in the next few days.
The mega jumbo is in Singapore being put through extensive tests by airport authorities and the airline to test its systems ahead of the first commercial flight.
More than 400 Singaporeans were passengers in simulation tests of an A380 flight arrival at Changi Terminals 2 and 3 on Monday.
These tests allow airport staff to test a variety of areas – from passenger disembarkment, cargo and luggage unloading to security screening.
Airport authorities said it takes only about 100 minutes to do a full turnaround for the A380 – about 10 minutes more than what it takes for the Boeing 747.
Foo Sek Min, director of airport management at Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, told Channel News Asia: “It’s mainly about how to communicate to people which deck they are supposed to board because there is an upper deck.”
SIA’s engineers and ground staff are also testing the jumbo aircraft to help cut down the time between A380 delivery and the first flight.
SIA says it has a few surprises in store for the A380’s internal fit-out. These will be revealed with the delivery of the first aircraft.
Phil Davies
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