SINGAPORE, July 5- Super-jumbo aviation arrives in the United Kingdom Thursday with the delivery to Heathrow of British Airways’ first A380.
The airline is the first UK carrier to take delivery of the double-decker, which is the world’s largest commercial jet.
British Airways is also the first airline in Europe to operate both the A380 and the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
The airline announced Thursday that the first long-haul flight on the A380 to Los Angeles will be on Sept 24, 2013 and the first to Hong Kong will be on Oct 22. Customers can book online at ba.com.
Keith Williams, British Airways’ chief executive officer, said: “We are delighted to welcome the first of our A380s to the fleet, joining our new 787s. “These aircraft are the start of a new era for British Airways. Over the next 15 months, we will take delivery of new aircraft at the rate of one a fortnight as we put ourselves at the forefront of modern aviation,” he said in a statement here.
British Airways has ordered 12 A380s for delivery by 2016. Three will arrive this year followed by a further five in 2014.
Both aircraft types will now begin a complex ‘entry into service’ programme, which will see pilot and cabin crew training taking place at Manston Airport in Kent, customer service trials at Heathrow and short-haul flying for both aircraft, including flights within the UK.
– BERNAMA
