The world’s largest passenger plane, the A380 Airbus, landed at Hanoi’s Noi Bai international airport Sunday morning as part of promotional tour around Asia.
Before its arrival in Hanoi, the jumbo jet touched down in Bangkok but collided with a hangar, causing only minor damage while its 150 passengers remained safe and sound.
The demonstration in Vietnam went off without a hitch.
Edouard Ullmo, Airbus Asia-Pacific executive vice-president, said in the next five years, Vietnam Airlines could be prepared to operate A380s as the airline was developing rapidly in the wake of the nation’s economic growth.
This year, Vietnam has welcomed almost 15 percent more foreign travelers than last year.
The national flag carrier owns some 45 planes but needs up to 80 jets by 2020 to meet its expansion goals, said VNA executive deputy president Nguyen Van Hung.
To continue its eight-day Asian tour, the Airbus is scheduled to fly to Hong Kong on Monday before its final tour destination, the Republic of Korea, on Wednesday.
The double-decker A380 is built by EADS (Airbus S.A.S.), the world’s largest maker of commercial aircraft, and was certified by European and US authorities to fly in and out of most of the globe’s major international airports two months ago.
To date, some 14 airlines have ordered 173 A380s.
The first A380 delivery is due for Singapore Airlines next month.
A380 first flew in April 2005 from Toulouse, France. After lengthy delays, commercial flights are scheduled to begin late this year.
Airbus has spent more than US$10 billion to develop the A380, which has a list price of about $319 million.
According to Airbus, the A380 makes half the noise of a Boeing747 and is more fuel efficient.
Source: Photos and Content from Thanh Nien News
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