‘Superjumbo’ prepares for take-off
The first production model of the Airbus A380 – capable of holding as many as 850 people – will be unveiled in Toulouse, France, tomorrow. As reported by News From Abroad, the huge jet is being promoted as the future of air travel, with an Airbus spokesman describing the plane as “the largest, newest, best and most important aircraft in our history”. According to The Independent newspaper, Airbus claims the plane “will fly more people over a greater distance in greater comfort, causing less pollution and at a lower cost than any aircraft on the planet”. The plane’s standard configuration, the newspaper reports, will allow 555 seats in three classes, as well as “private cabins, showers, boutique shops, and even gyms, fountains and casinos”. The newspaper points out, however, that despite the huge ceremony planned for tomorrow, the plane has not even had its first test flight yet – that will come in March – and that airports around the world will have to make alterations costing millions of pounds in order to accommodate the jet. Critics point out other potential weaknesses; Gordon Bethune, chief executive of Continental Airlines, is quoted as saying: “What’s in it for me to sit on an airplane with 500 other people, wait for my bags with 500 other people, check in with 500 other people?” Report by Tim Gillett, News From Abroad Ltd
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