SINGAPORE (AP) — Singapore Airlines Ltd., the first carrier in the world to fly the new superjumbo A380, said Thursday the first delivery of the hulking jet has been set for Oct. 15.
Airbus' delivery of the plane to Singapore Airlines has been delayed more than a year due to production problems.
The double-decker aircraft — the world's biggest passenger jet — will be handed over by European plane manufacturer Airbus at a ceremony in Toulouse, France, Singapore Airlines said in a statement.
The A380's inaugural flight has been scheduled for Oct. 25 to Sydney, the carrier said. Singapore Airlines had earlier announced it will auction all seats on the first A380 flight on eBay and donate the proceeds to charities.
The plane will be configured with 471 seats in three classes, the airline said.
Airbus is counting on a glitch-free introduction of the 525-seat plane after a series of delays caused shares in its parent company, European Aeronautic Defense & Space Co. NV, to plunge and wiped billions of euros (dollars) off profit forecasts.
To date, Airbus has received 173 orders from various airlines for the superjumbo.
