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Airbus A380 'super jumbo' lands in Scotland for first time | Airbus A380 'super jumbo' lands in Scotland for first time |
(1 day later) | |
The world's largest passenger aircraft has landed in Scotland for the first time. | 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. | 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 on Scottish soil for the first time. | Thousands of aviation fans turned up to watch the giant aircraft arrive on Scottish soil for the first time. |
The plane's arrival marks the 10th anniversary of the launch of scheduled services between Dubai and Glasgow. | 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". |
The historic landing was praised by Transport Minister Keith Brown who believed that the service is a statement of strength in Scotland's reputation as a global transport hub. | The historic landing was praised by Transport Minister Keith Brown who believed that the service is a statement of strength in Scotland's reputation as a global transport hub. |
Marker for progress | Marker for progress |
He said: "The Scottish Government has been a supporter of this important link from the outset and you need only look at the passenger numbers to see how successful the route has become. | He said: "The Scottish Government has been a supporter of this important link from the outset and you need only look at the passenger numbers to see how successful the route has become. |
"The service provides a real boost for Scotland's economy, improving connectivity from both a business and tourism standpoint, and what better way to celebrate this achievement than welcoming the world's largest commercial airliner - the A380 - to Scotland for the first time." | "The service provides a real boost for Scotland's economy, improving connectivity from both a business and tourism standpoint, and what better way to celebrate this achievement than welcoming the world's largest commercial airliner - the A380 - to Scotland for the first time." |
Amanda McMillan, Managing Director of Glasgow Airport, echoed the minister's view that the arrival of the A380 was a marker for the progress of Scottish commercial aviation. | Amanda McMillan, Managing Director of Glasgow Airport, echoed the minister's view that the arrival of the A380 was a marker for the progress of Scottish commercial aviation. |
Ms McMillan said: "Over the course of the past 10 years Emirates has established itself as Scotland's leading long-haul airline and we are honoured it has chosen to mark our successful partnership by operating Scotland's first commercial A380 service. This is a significant milestone for Glasgow and for Scottish aviation." | Ms McMillan said: "Over the course of the past 10 years Emirates has established itself as Scotland's leading long-haul airline and we are honoured it has chosen to mark our successful partnership by operating Scotland's first commercial A380 service. This is a significant milestone for Glasgow and for Scottish aviation." |
Speaking on board the A380, Emirates Senior Vice President Hubert Frach said: "This is a big day for us. We're marking the tenth anniversary of flights between Glasgow and Dubai and we've brought a big aircraft to celebrate." | |
The airline has no plans to use the super jumbo on flights to Scotland in future, and believes the current twice daily service using Boeing 777 aircraft suits passengers' needs. | |
Asked if the A380 could be flown on the route again, Mr Frach said: "We're very happy that we are here with a double daily triple seven service to Dubai. That allows us to offer great connectivity to the market." |