CANNES, Oct 18, 2007 (AFP) - Dubai carrier Emirates expects to take delivery of its first Airbus A380 superjumbo in August next year and hopes to have it in service the following month, airline president Tim Clark said Thursday.

Clark said the A380, the first of 55 on order, 'will fly almost immediately, in September, if we get it in August.'

The airline will get four or five more of the aircraft next year, he added.

SINGAPORE, Oct 17, 2007 (AFP) - The first Airbus A380 superjumbo landed in Singapore on Wednesday, as the countdown began for next week's maiden commercial flight of the biggest passenger airliner ever built.

The Singapore Airlines (SIA) jet touched down at 1040 GMT -- 10 minutes late -- at Changi Airport, where hundreds of guests in business suits toasted its arrival with champagne.

The A380 arrived from France, where Airbus officials finally saw off the giant plane after 18 months of delays and billions of dollars in cost overruns.

SINGAPORE, Oct 17, 2007 (AFP) - When they finally saw the giant plane, they gasped.

Hundreds of guests including foreign diplomats gathered in a cavernous glass-walled hall at a new Singapore airport terminal Wednesday night to welcome Singapore Airlines' first A380 superjumbo jet with a lavish reception.

They heard the massive jet before they saw it.

SINGAPORE, Oct 17, 2007 (AFP) - The first Airbus A380 superjumbo landed in Singapore on Wednesday, as the countdown began for next week's maiden commercial flight of the biggest passenger airliner ever built.

The Singapore Airlines (SIA) jet touched down at 1040 GMT -- 10 minutes late -- at Changi Airport, where hundreds of guests in business suits gathered for a champagne reception to welcome it.

The A380 arrived from France where Airbus officials finally saw off the giant plane after 18 months of delays and billions of dollars in cost overruns.

SINGAPORE, Oct 17, 2007 (AFP) - The first Airbus A380 superjumbo landed in Singapore on Wednesday, as the countdown began for next week's maiden commercial flight of the biggest passenger airliner ever made.

The Singapore Airlines jet touched down at 1040 GMT -- 10 minutes late -- at Changi Airport, where hundreds of guests in business suits gathered for a champagne reception to welcome it.

The plane arrived after a flight of more than 12 hours from the headquarters of European manufacturer Airbus.

SINGAPORE, Oct 17, 2007 (AFP) - Ten facts about the Airbus A380 superjumbo:

- The double-decker A380 measures 73 metres (239 feet) in length, or about 80 percent of the smallest international football field

- The wing area is 845 square metres (9,092 square feet), enough to park 72 medium-sized cars on each wing

- It has 50-percent more floor space than the next biggest aircraft, the Boeing 747 jumbo, which can carry about 400 passengers

- It can carry 853 passengers in an all-economy configuration

SINGAPORE, Oct 17, 2007 (AFP) - The Airbus A380 superjumbo was set to land on Singapore on Wednesday as the countdown began for next week's maiden commercial flight of the biggest passenger airliner ever made.

Decked out in the blue and gold of launch customer Singapore Airlines, the A380 was en route from France, where Airbus officials finally saw off the giant plane after 18 months of delays and billions of dollars in cost over-runs.

TOULOUSE, France, Oct 15, 2007 (AFP) - Airbus on Monday made the first delivery of its A380, the world's biggest passenger jet, handing it over to Singapore Airlines 18 months behind schedule but with both sides hailing a major advance in air travel.

The 73-metre-long (239-feet) superjumbo was handed over in a ceremony at the Airbus headquarters in Toulouse in southern France, with Singapore Airlines also revealing its 'new standard' in first-class cabin design.

TOULOUSE, France, Oct 15, 2007 (AFP) - Singapore Airlines on Monday unveiled the mystery bidder who paid more than 100,000 dollars (70,000 euros) for a seat on the inaugural flight of the Airbus A380 between Singapore and Sydney.

Julian Hayward, a 38-year-old Briton who sold his Internet business in 2000, said he wanted a 'little bit of history' by flying in seat 1A in the first class area of the plane on next week's journey.

TOULOUSE, France, Oct 15, 2007 (AFP) - 'There is no first class on this plane, sir. This is Suite Class,' repeats the Singapore Airlines steward as she shows off the front of the plane to curious onlookers.

All of the guides parroted the same line on Monday as the carrier unveiled what it called a 'new standard for luxury and comfort' in the Airbus A380, the world's biggest passenger jet.

TOULOUSE, France, Oct 15, 2007 (AFP) - Airbus on Monday delivered the first of its A380s, the world's biggest passenger jet, to Singapore Airlines, 18 months behind schedule but with both sides hailing the major advance in air travel.

The 73-metre-long (239-feet) superjumbo was handed over in a ceremony at the Airbus headquarters in Toulouse in southern France.

Thomas Enders, chief executive of Airbus, said: 'We are obviously extremely proud to deliver the first A380 to Singapore Airlines, but this is the latest milestone in a long journey.'

TOULOUSE, France, Oct 15, 2007 (AFP) - Airbus was to make the first delivery of its A380 superjumbo jet on Monday to Singapore Airlines, with elation and relief expected at a ceremony in southern France to mark the occasion.

The heads of both companies were expected to hail a major advance in air travel as the A380, the world's biggest passenger plane, finally leaves the company's factory in Toulouse after a difficult birth.

PARIS, Oct 14, 2007 (AFP) - Airbus delivers its first A380 superjumbo jet on Monday, but beyond the hype about the size of the world's biggest passenger jet some analysts doubt that the aircraft will ever make money.

A sense of euphoria is expected at Airbus headquarters in southern France on Monday as the first doubledecker is delivered to launch client Singapore Airlines at a ceremony attended by 500 guests and the world's media.

PARIS, Oct 12, 2007 (AFP) - Key dates in the production of the giant A380 airliner and its creator, Airbus:

- Dec 19: Airbus shareholders give green light to build the world's largest airliner, to be codenamed the A380.

- June 15: Emirates boosts orders of the new model to 43, becoming its biggest customer.

- Jan 18: The A380 is unveiled in a high-profile launch in Toulouse.

- April 27: First test flight from Toulouse.

- May 4: Airbus tells launch customer Singapore Airlines of delays, pushing back delivery to the second half of 2006.

PARIS, Oct 12, 2007 (AFP) - Singapore Airlines, an icon as one of the industry's most profitable carriers and launch customer for the Airbus 380 superjumbo, finally gets its hands on one of the massive jets next week.

The A380 has been delayed for 18 months by production problems but SIA, famous for its 'Singapore Girl' branding, has stuck with its order through thick and thin at Airbus to offer its first flight on October 25 to Sydney.

PARIS, Oct 12, 2007 (AFP) - Airbus will next week hand Singapore Airlines the first completed A380, the world's biggest passenger jet, 18 months later than expected but to the widespread relief of the European aerospace industry.

The giant plane, one of the most exciting new airliners in nearly 40 years, is to be delivered to the carrier on Monday before entering service on a Singapore-Sydney route 10 days later.

SINGAPORE, Sept 13, 2007 (AFP) - An Australian businessman placed the biggest bid of 100,380 US dollars for seats on the first commercial flight of the super jumbo Airbus A380 plane, Singapore Airlines said Thursday.

Sydney businessman Julian Hayward paid that amount for a pair of one-way Suites tickets -- the most luxurous class segment -- to be on the inaugural flight on October 25 that will depart Singapore for Sydney, the carrier said.

SINGAPORE, Sept 13, 2007 (AFP) - Bidders have paid almost two million Singapore dollars (1.32 million US) for seats on the first commercial flight of the super jumbo Airbus A380 plane, Singapore Airlines (SIA) said Thursday.

Only 24 seats are left for both legs of the A380's first commercial flight on October 25 when it departs Singapore for Sydney, the carrier said in a statement.

Bidding for the remaining seats closes at the end of this week, it said.

SINGAPORE, Sept 12, 2007 (AFP) - The world's largest passenger plane, the Airbus A380, will begin scheduled service on October 28 between Singapore and Sydney, Singapore Airlines said Wednesday.

The double-decker super jumbo will have 471 seats, including 399 in economy class, the carrier said.

It said the A380 will operate a daily return flight, replacing one of three Boeing 747-400 aircraft on the route.

Singapore Airlines (SIA) is to be the first commercial airline to fly the A380.

SINGAPORE, Sept 4, 2007 (AFP) - An online auction for seats on the first commercial flight of the super jumbo Airbus A380 was set to expand Tuesday, with seats on the return Sydney to Singapore leg up for bids, Singapore Airlines said.

The eBay online marketplace was to begin offering seats at 10:00 pm Sydney time (1200 GMT) for the October 26 flight, Singapore Airlines (SIA) said in a statement.

Seats on the first outbound flight from Singapore, on October 25, have been up for auction since August 27 and remain on the block, SIA said.

Bids close next Monday.

SINGAPORE, Sept 3, 2007 (AFP) - Two premium seats on the first commercial flight of the super jumbo Airbus A380 have sold for more than 100,000 US dollars, Singapore Airlines said Monday as an eBay online auction entered its second week.

'It's exceeding our expectations across the board,' Stephen Forshaw, the airline's vice-president of public affairs, told AFP.

The eBay online marketplace began taking bids on August 27 for the October 25 flight between Singapore and Sydney. Bidding ends next Monday.

HONG KONG, Sept 3, 2007 (AFP) - The world's largest passenger jet, the new Airbus A380, flew over Hong Kong's harbour Monday below the skyline of some of the world's tallest buildings.

The double-decker plane made the flight across Victoria harbour ahead of the Asian Aerospace International Expo and Congress, and then treated thrilled onlookers with a second fly-past minutes later.

The stunt took place despite the giant plane pranging its wing against an airport hangar in Bangkok Saturday, one of its destinations on an Asian tour to drum up business.

HANOI, Sept 2, 2007 (AFP) - A senior Airbus executive said Sunday that he could see Vietnam Airlines using the new A380 as early as 2012-2013 as the world's biggest passenger plane arrived in Hanoi on a promotional tour.

Edouard Ullmo, Airbus executive vice-president for Asia-Pacific, said Vietnam Airlines was expanding so rapidly it could be ready to operate a plane the size of the A380 by 2012-13.

BANGKOK, Sept 1, 2007 (AFP) - The Airbus A380 on Saturday hit an airport hangar in Bangkok, forcing the world's largest passenger jet to delay its takeoff on an Asian tour, an Airbus official said.

The bump caused slight damage to the tip of the plane's left wing, the official said.

The double-decker plane was to make a round trip early Saturday from Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport to Thailand's northern tourist hub, Chiang Mai, but the accident delayed its departure for several hours.

BANGKOK, Aug 30, 2007 (AFP) - The world's largest passenger jet, the Airbus A380, arrived Friday in Bangkok, the first leg of its four-city Asian tour, as the European aero giant aimed to expand growth against competitor Boeing.

The double-decker plane landed at Bangkok's glitzy Suvarnabhumi Airport from Toulouse, southern France, where the European plane maker is headquartered, a Thai public relation firm for Airbus said.

The super jumbo will make a round trip from Bangkok to Thailand's northern tourist hub, Chiang Mai, Saturday, and then fly to Hanoi on Sunday.

HONG KONG, Aug 30, 2007 (AFP) - The world's largest passenger jet, the Airbus A380, will fly through Hong Kong's harbour next week as part of Asia's largest air show, the company said Thursday.

The double-decker plane will make the flight across the city's famous Victoria harbour on September 3, weather permitting, an Airbus spokesman said in a statement, ahead of Asian Aerospace Exhibition which opens Monday.

SINGAPORE, Aug 28, 2007 (AFP) - Bidders offered thousands of US dollars Tuesday for seats on the first commercial flight of the super jumbo Airbus A380 as an online auction for seats began in earnest.

The eBay online marketplace began taking bids Monday night for the flight between Singapore and Sydney.

Bidding picked up on Tuesday, with offers on various seat combinations.

According to eBay's Singapore website, the highest bid for a single seat was 8,159 US dollars for a place in business class.

SINGAPORE, Aug 27, 2007 (AFP) - An online auction for seats on the first commercial flight of the super jumbo Airbus A380, between Singapore and Sydney, began Monday night, the eBay online marketplace said.

'A380 First Flight Charity Auction has begun,' said eBay's Singapore website after the scheduled 8:00 pm (1200 GMT) start of bidding.

Seats are being offered for sale on eBay with the proceeds going to charity, SIA said in an earlier statement.

SINGAPORE, Aug 24, 2007 (AFP) - An online auction for seats on the first commercial flight of the super jumbo Airbus A380, between Singapore and Sydney, was to begin Monday night, a Singapore Airlines spokesperson said.

'The auction proper will start at 8:00 (pm),' or 1200 GMT, the spokesperson told AFP.

Seats are being offered for sale on the eBay online marketplace with the proceeds going to charity, SIA said in an earlier statement.

TOULOUSE, France, Aug 16, 2007 (AFP) - The Airbus A380, the world's biggest passenger plane, is to enter service on October 25 with launch client Singapore Airlines, the companies announced on Thursday.

After an 18-month delay to the delivery caused by manufacturing problems, the plane is to carry its first paying passengers on a longhaul route between Singapore and Sydney.

'Everyone at Singapore Airlines is keenly anticipating the delivery of this new plane,' said Singapore Airlines chief executive Chew Choon Seng.

SINGAPORE, Aug 16, 2007 (AFP) - Singapore Airlines (SIA), which will be the first to receive delivery of the Airbus A380 jet, said Thursday the biggest passenger plane ever built will make its commercial debut on October 25.

Flight SQ380's first commercial flight departing Singapore for Sydney on October 25 will take place 10 days after SIA receives its first of 19 A380s from European aircraft maker Airbus, the carrier said in a statement.

KUALA LUMPUR, July 23, 2007 (AFP) - Malaysia Airlines expects to settle the issue of compensation from Airbus for late delivery of six A380 superjumbo planes by year-end, a top official said Monday.

'There will be compensation. We are still talking to them (Airbus). Probably before year-end we will ... settle the compensation issue with Airbus,' Managing Director Idris Jala was quoted saying by state news agency Bernama.