First superjumbo arrives at its new home

The world’s largest and most modern jetliner, the Airbus A380, arrived in its new Singapore home today ahead of a historic flight next week.

Freshly painted with Singapore Airlines’ peacock logo on its tail, the double-decker A380 touched down on schedule at Changi Airport, watched by prime minister Lee Hsien Loong.

Airline executive Bey Soon Khiang said: “This is the most anticipated event this century in aviation. A380 is a game-change. This week the game changes.”

Airbus chose Singapore Airlines as the first company to give the world’s newest plane, which was formally handed over on Monday in Toulouse, France, where the superjumbo was put together.

The jetliner, which took seven years and about $13bn (€9.15bn) to develop, rolled off the assembly line nearly two years behind schedule.

Speaking through an audio-link from the plane as it approached the airport, chief pilot Captain Robert Ting said: “This is definitely a moment we have all been waiting for. Singapore is beautiful from where we are. The aircraft has performed well.”

After one week’s preparations at Changi, the plane will take off for its first commercial flight to Sydney on October 25. The inaugural flight’s seats were sold on an online auction, which raised $1.25m for charity.

The highest bidder was Julian Hayward, a 39-year-old Briton based in Sydney, who paid $100,380 for a pair of one-way “Singapore Airlines Suites” which the carrier says is in “a class beyond first”.

Each of the suites is enclosed by sliding doors, and is equipped with a proper bed, a 23-inch flat panel television, a table and a reclining chair. Two of the suites will have double beds.

All this will not come cheap. A round-ticket to Sydney will cost $6,819, about 25% more than a first class ticket on other Singapore Airlines flights to Sydney.

Singapore Airlines will replace all its 14 Boeing 747-400s, the nearest rival to A380, within four years.

The superjumbo, which is as tall as a seven-storey building, was greeted with a water salute. After landing, it taxied to its gate under a canopy of water sprayed by two fire trucks positioned on both sides of the tarmac.

A lion dance, accompanied by booming drums, greeted the crew inside the terminal.

With 189 orders or firm commitments, Airbus is hoping to see 200 on its books by year-end.