The Airbus A380, the world's largest commercial airliner with 555 seats, landed at Shanghai Pudong Airport on Thursday night on the last leg of a 10-day trial flight.

 

 

Powered by four Rolls Royce Trent 900 engines the A380 started its technical trial journey on November 13 to carry out function and reliability tests at key airports around the world.

 

The trial requires the aircraft to complete more than 150 flight hours on a continuous, typical airline schedule and perform in its normal operational environment.

 

Starting from Toulouse, France, the route comprises 10 airports. To date the aircraft has visited Singapore, Seoul, Hong Kong, Narita, Guangzhou and Beijing.

 

 

The A380 will have to demonstrate that it can be turned around as per normal airline operations. Tests will include checks on standard maintenance and performance as well as typical airport operations and compatibility such as bridge docking, cleaning, catering, refueling and boarding procedures.

 

The trials are expected to be completed in the middle of December after the plane's last trial fight over South Africa, Canada, Australia, the South and North Poles.

 

So far five Airbus A380 planes have successfully completed their trial flights and orders for 166 aircraft from 15 customers, including an order for five from China Southern Airlines, have been received by the manufacturers. 

 

 

 

(Xinhua News Agency November 24, 2006)