Malaysia Airlines' (MAS) first Airbus A380 has entered the airframer's final assembly line in Toulouse.
The superjumbo jet, which entered the line on 7 June, will have its front, central and aft fuselage sections, wings and horizontal and vertical tails assembled at the first stage.
This will be followed by the installation of engines and tests on the aircraft's electric and hydraulic systems, mobile parts and landing gears. Final ground tests and first engine tests will take place after that, before the aircraft is flown to Hamburg for cabin completion and painting.
MAS, which has six A380s on order, has said it is due to receive its first in April 2012. The airline is likely to deploy the superjumbo jet to London, followed by Sydney and Melbourne.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
