Airbus has released photos of the A380 ultralarge airliner saluting workers at its wings plant outside Bristol en route to its first landing at London Heathrow airport.
The aircraft, manufacturer's serial number 004, detoured from its route to London from Berlin's Schönefeld airport, where it took part in flying dispays at the ILA Berlin air show. The aircraft performed a series of ground tests at the airport's Terminal 3, which as been upgraded to handle the double-decker.
UK finance minister Gordon Brown was among dignatories on hand to greet the aircraft at Heathrow. Representatives of 16 customer airlines and airport operator BAA were also on hand to meet the A380.
The A380 (F-WWDD) took off from Heathrow at 07:00 this morning from the upwind end of runway 27L, only the sixteenth flight of the day, and causing minor disruption to the airport's flight schedule. Its destination was unknown, although it is due to fly back to the Berlin air show tomorrow.
The aircraft, piloted by Ed Strongman, flew a missed approach down the runway of Chester airport, home to Airbus UK's Broughton facility in northern Wales. The aircraft also performed a fly-past at the Filton plant outside Bristol, which is the centre for A380 wing design.
Blog:
Flight group editor was there, alongside Gordon Brown on the roof of the vieing tower of Terminal 3's new Pier 6 to watch the A380 arrive at Heathrow.
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Source: Flight International
