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Airbus A380 'super jumbo' lands in Scotland for first time | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The world's largest passenger aircraft has landed in Scotland for the first time. | |
An Airbus A380 "super jumbo" operated by Emirates landed safely at Glasgow Airport at about 12:35. | |
Thousands of aviation fans turned up to watch the giant aircraft arrive before it refuels. It is due to depart at about 15:30. | |
The pilot in charge of the flight was Iain Weir, who grew up in nearby Clydebank and is now based in Dubai. | |
A spokesman for Glasgow Airport said: "There has been a huge amount of interest in the arrival of Emirates' A380 and understandably so. | A spokesman for Glasgow Airport said: "There has been a huge amount of interest in the arrival of Emirates' A380 and understandably so. |
"To be the first Scottish airport to welcome what is the world's largest commercial aircraft is a hugely significant milestone in the history of Glasgow Airport and in Scottish aviation. | "To be the first Scottish airport to welcome what is the world's largest commercial aircraft is a hugely significant milestone in the history of Glasgow Airport and in Scottish aviation. |
"It's difficult to say how many people will turn up to catch a glimpse of the aircraft but given it is the school holidays, we are preparing for thousands of spectators." | "It's difficult to say how many people will turn up to catch a glimpse of the aircraft but given it is the school holidays, we are preparing for thousands of spectators." |
The plane's arrival marks the 10th anniversary of the launch of scheduled services between Dubai and Glasgow. | |
The aircraft stands more than 24m (79ft) tall and has a wing span of almost 80m (262ft). It can carry more than 500 passengers. | The aircraft stands more than 24m (79ft) tall and has a wing span of almost 80m (262ft). It can carry more than 500 passengers. |
Since Emirates began flying from Glasgow in April 2004, it has carried more than 2.4 million passengers between Scotland and the airline's global hub. | Since Emirates began flying from Glasgow in April 2004, it has carried more than 2.4 million passengers between Scotland and the airline's global hub. |
It usually flies Boeing 777 aircraft on the route, which operates twice daily. | It usually flies Boeing 777 aircraft on the route, which operates twice daily. |
Scotland's two busiest airports, Glasgow and Edinburgh, are locked in a battle to win new long-haul routes. | Scotland's two busiest airports, Glasgow and Edinburgh, are locked in a battle to win new long-haul routes. |
Qatar Airways will begin flying between the Scottish capital and Doha on 28 May. | Qatar Airways will begin flying between the Scottish capital and Doha on 28 May. |
The carrier will offer passengers the opportunity to travel on board the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which can carry about 250 passengers. | The carrier will offer passengers the opportunity to travel on board the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which can carry about 250 passengers. |
Aviation experts say the Dreamliner's range and fuel efficiency may encourage other airlines to launch long-haul services from Scotland. | Aviation experts say the Dreamliner's range and fuel efficiency may encourage other airlines to launch long-haul services from Scotland. |
The Scottish government has described securing further improvements to the country's air links as "crucial". | The Scottish government has described securing further improvements to the country's air links as "crucial". |
Public transport | Public transport |
Transport Minister Keith Brown told BBC Scotland: "The ongoing success of the Glasgow to Dubai service demonstrates that Scotland is a market that can sustain long haul services. | Transport Minister Keith Brown told BBC Scotland: "The ongoing success of the Glasgow to Dubai service demonstrates that Scotland is a market that can sustain long haul services. |
"The Scottish government played a key role in securing three new services from Edinburgh to Chicago, Philadelphia and Doha, which are set to launch next month. | "The Scottish government played a key role in securing three new services from Edinburgh to Chicago, Philadelphia and Doha, which are set to launch next month. |
"The expansion of the Glasgow to Philadelphia service and the introduction of the Glasgow to Halifax, Canada, service are also welcome. | "The expansion of the Glasgow to Philadelphia service and the introduction of the Glasgow to Halifax, Canada, service are also welcome. |
"We continue to work with the industry to secure more routes like these." | "We continue to work with the industry to secure more routes like these." |
Members of the public hoping to see the A380 fly into Glasgow are being urged not to drive to the airport if possible. | Members of the public hoping to see the A380 fly into Glasgow are being urged not to drive to the airport if possible. |
A spokesman said: "We would encourage people to use public transport, however, there will be limited event parking within our long-stay car park. | A spokesman said: "We would encourage people to use public transport, however, there will be limited event parking within our long-stay car park. |
He added: "A shuttle bus service will operate from the long-stay car park to the west side of the airfield and also to stance number three outside the main terminal building. | He added: "A shuttle bus service will operate from the long-stay car park to the west side of the airfield and also to stance number three outside the main terminal building. |
"We would remind people this will be a limited service and may be busy given the potential number of visitors." | "We would remind people this will be a limited service and may be busy given the potential number of visitors." |
Further information on the travel options to and from the airport can be found on the Glasgow Airport website . | Further information on the travel options to and from the airport can be found on the Glasgow Airport website . |