This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7061164.stm

The article has changed 16 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 9 Version 10
A380 superjumbo lands in Sydney A380 superjumbo lands in Sydney
(about 1 hour later)
The world's largest passenger plane, the Airbus A380, has landed in Sydney on its first commercial flight, after a seven-hour journey from Singapore.The world's largest passenger plane, the Airbus A380, has landed in Sydney on its first commercial flight, after a seven-hour journey from Singapore.
Singapore Airlines took delivery of the huge plane, dubbed the Superjumbo, just over a week ago. Passengers bought seats in a charity online auction.Singapore Airlines took delivery of the huge plane, dubbed the Superjumbo, just over a week ago. Passengers bought seats in a charity online auction.
It can carry some 850 passengers, but took about 450 to Sydney.It can carry some 850 passengers, but took about 450 to Sydney.
The superjumbo's advent ends a reign of nearly four decades by the Boeing 747 as the world's biggest airliner.The superjumbo's advent ends a reign of nearly four decades by the Boeing 747 as the world's biggest airliner.
'Phenomenal''Phenomenal'
The new aircraft suffered almost two years of delays because of a number of construction problems, but took off on time.The new aircraft suffered almost two years of delays because of a number of construction problems, but took off on time.
I have never been in anything like this in the air before in my life Passenger Tony ElwoodI have never been in anything like this in the air before in my life Passenger Tony Elwood
One of the passengers on board, Laurence Watts, told the BBC during the flight that it was a "phenomenal" plane.One of the passengers on board, Laurence Watts, told the BBC during the flight that it was a "phenomenal" plane.
"I'm actually sitting in the economy class on the lower deck of the plane," he said."I'm actually sitting in the economy class on the lower deck of the plane," he said.
"The most amazing thing is here you have two classes of economy, split over two decks, with stairs in between the two, which I think is a huge novelty for everyone."The most amazing thing is here you have two classes of economy, split over two decks, with stairs in between the two, which I think is a huge novelty for everyone.
"The plane itself - the space is bigger than anything you can imagine. I can look out the window to my right at the moment and I can see a wing that looks bigger than most ordinary planes.""The plane itself - the space is bigger than anything you can imagine. I can look out the window to my right at the moment and I can see a wing that looks bigger than most ordinary planes."
Hundreds of staff and passengers at Singapore's Changi Airport watched it lift into the sky, snapping the moment with pocket cameras and camera phones.Hundreds of staff and passengers at Singapore's Changi Airport watched it lift into the sky, snapping the moment with pocket cameras and camera phones.
Passengers paid between $560 and $100,380 to be on the inaugural flight.Passengers paid between $560 and $100,380 to be on the inaugural flight.
"I have never been in anything like this in the air before in my life," said a fellow passenger, Australian Tony Elwood, who travelled in a private first-class suite with his wife Julie."I have never been in anything like this in the air before in my life," said a fellow passenger, Australian Tony Elwood, who travelled in a private first-class suite with his wife Julie.
"It is going to make everything else after this simply awful.""It is going to make everything else after this simply awful."
Australian welcomeAustralian welcome
Sydney Airport has had to make modifications to fit the giant plane, the BBC's Nick Bryant reports from the city. With the superjumbo's wing span almost the size of a football pitch, Sydney Airport has spent millions to accommodate the new plane.
Two 20th-Century design icons - Sydney's Opera House and its Harbour Bridge - will form the backdrop for what the Airbus consortium hopes will become an emblem of the 21st.
With the superjumbo's wing span almost the size of a football pitch, the airport has spent millions to accommodate the new plane.
To cope with the two decks of seating, it has had to construct new aero bridges.To cope with the two decks of seating, it has had to construct new aero bridges.
It has also had to realign one of the taxi ways and strengthen a tunnel which runs underneath the main runway.It has also had to realign one of the taxi ways and strengthen a tunnel which runs underneath the main runway.
Singapore Airlines is now set to take delivery of a further five A380s in 2008, out of its order of 19.
In total, Airbus now has 165 firm orders for the A380, and 20 "commitments" from 15 airlines.
However, some analysts remain unconvinced that the plane will be a success.
Standard & Poor's Equity Research analyst Shukor Yusof points to the fact Airbus' US rival Boeing already has more than 700 orders for its forthcoming 787 Dreamliner.
While Airbus sees the future grow of air travel being focused on larger plans such as the A380 flying between major hubs, Boeing is aiming the mid-sized 787 at more flights between airports of all sizes.
"I see there's some demand for the A380, but it's an expensive way to address a small market," said Mr Yusof.
Boeing's 787 has also been hit by production delays, with the first deliveries now not due until the end of next year, six months behind schedule.


Did you see someone off in Singapore? Did you wait for the plane in Sydney? Send us your comments using the form below.Did you see someone off in Singapore? Did you wait for the plane in Sydney? Send us your comments using the form below.
We will be going out to watch the plane when it does a circle around Sydney prior to landing. There are, however, low clouds and continual rain showers in Sydney today so the visibility may not be too good. The plane is due to do a fly-over at 4.45pm Sydney time (7.45am UK time). May then wander down to Sydney Harbour to see the "Sea Princess" - the World's largest Passenger Liner which arrived yesterday, clearing the Sydney Harbour Bridge by less than 2 metres.Dave King, Sydney, AustraliaWe will be going out to watch the plane when it does a circle around Sydney prior to landing. There are, however, low clouds and continual rain showers in Sydney today so the visibility may not be too good. The plane is due to do a fly-over at 4.45pm Sydney time (7.45am UK time). May then wander down to Sydney Harbour to see the "Sea Princess" - the World's largest Passenger Liner which arrived yesterday, clearing the Sydney Harbour Bridge by less than 2 metres.Dave King, Sydney, Australia
I was at the airport to send my boyfriend off, & on the way to the airport I was watching the morning news on the bus, & this reporter was interviewing passengers boarding the big flight. "Wow," I thought. I guess it took awhile to put 2 & 2 together & realize that I'd be at the airport at the same time SQ380 was to take off for Sydney at 8am. I was standing there staring at the departure flights screen, when I saw the listing for SQ380, & next thing I was pulling my boyfriend's hand & hurrying to the viewing gallery (even though he wanted coffee so badly), & we saw that the A380 had already been pushed back, so we got to watch it moving off, & a few minutes later it was rolling down the runway taking off, along with sounds of a few dozen [digitally-produced] shutter clicks all around us. "Wow," I said. Alas, we didn't see the plane actually taking to the air, though.Sean, SingaporeI was at the airport to send my boyfriend off, & on the way to the airport I was watching the morning news on the bus, & this reporter was interviewing passengers boarding the big flight. "Wow," I thought. I guess it took awhile to put 2 & 2 together & realize that I'd be at the airport at the same time SQ380 was to take off for Sydney at 8am. I was standing there staring at the departure flights screen, when I saw the listing for SQ380, & next thing I was pulling my boyfriend's hand & hurrying to the viewing gallery (even though he wanted coffee so badly), & we saw that the A380 had already been pushed back, so we got to watch it moving off, & a few minutes later it was rolling down the runway taking off, along with sounds of a few dozen [digitally-produced] shutter clicks all around us. "Wow," I said. Alas, we didn't see the plane actually taking to the air, though.Sean, Singapore
Very low clouds in Sydney today and the planned fly past down the harbour and then banking left over the city down to the airport now doesn't look as likely. Hopefully they lift and we can see the beast of the sky come in from the office or at Circular Quay with a beer! Otherwise it'll come in from the south and over Botany Bay and the industrial works!James, Sydney, AustraliaVery low clouds in Sydney today and the planned fly past down the harbour and then banking left over the city down to the airport now doesn't look as likely. Hopefully they lift and we can see the beast of the sky come in from the office or at Circular Quay with a beer! Otherwise it'll come in from the south and over Botany Bay and the industrial works!James, Sydney, Australia
...I suspect its going to be a bit of a fizzer as there is low cloud and pouring rain!Chas, Sydney...I suspect its going to be a bit of a fizzer as there is low cloud and pouring rain!Chas, Sydney
I envy the first pax. In 1963 I flew Singapore to Brisbane in a Comet 4, I think it was, such a steep takeoff, and such power, in those days!! The thrill has become less of, but I remember it well!! Bill Luff, retired Royal Navy. william f luff, Lake Charles, LA, USAI envy the first pax. In 1963 I flew Singapore to Brisbane in a Comet 4, I think it was, such a steep takeoff, and such power, in those days!! The thrill has become less of, but I remember it well!! Bill Luff, retired Royal Navy. william f luff, Lake Charles, LA, USA
You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via MMS please dial + 44 (0) 7725 100 100. Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and videoYou can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via MMS please dial + 44 (0) 7725 100 100. Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video
Name
Name