On 28 October 2008, the A380, flagship of the 21st century, celebrates the first anniversary of its entry into service. The first A380 was handed over to Singapore Airlines on 15th October 2007. Their new “Queen of the Skies” entered service on 25th October 2007 with a special charity flight between Singapore and Sydney. Since then the aircraft has also entered service with Emirates Airline and Qantas Airways. A total of nine aircraft have been delivered to date, with six in operation with Singapore Airlines, one with Qantas and two with Emirates who received their second new generation large aircraft yesterday.
To date, more than 700,000 passengers have flown on the world’s first full double-deck aircraft, which is now connecting four continents and flying on seven major international routes. A380s in service link Singapore with Sydney, London and Tokyo, Dubai with New York, and Sydney and Melbourne with Los Angeles.
Altogether the in-service fleet has recorded more than 15,000 revenue flight hours in more than 1,600 commercial flights, with a very high level of in-service reliability, setting new benchmarks in terms of performance, eco-efficiency and low operating costs. In addition to the unequalled levels of passenger comfort and quietness inside the spacious double-deck cabin, outside the A380 is also setting new industry-standards for the environment. Indeed, the in-service experience has shown that the A380 consumes 20 percent less fuel per seat than the previous largest aircraft, representing the lowest fuel burn of any large aircraft ever.
“Singapore Airlines is very pleased with the performance of the A380 in its first year of operations” said Chew Choon Seng, Singapore Airlines Chief Executive Officer. “ We are now flying six of them, linking Singapore with Sydney and Tokyo daily, and with London twice every day. The A380 has lived up to its promises and proven to be reliable and fuel efficient. Importantly it has been a hit with our customers who enjoy its spaciousness, quietness and comfort, as well as the new cabin products and features we introduced with it. Our crews enjoy working on the aircraft and the A380 has advanced the Airline’s reputation for services that other airlines talk about.”
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Emirates Chairman & Chief Executive said: "In addition to the lower impact on the environment, its new-generation engines and superb aerodynamic performance mean that the A380 not only complies with today's noise limits, it is also significantly quieter than any other large aircraft flying today and produces only half as much noise on take-off and landing as the former largest commercial aircraft. It is a perfect fit for Emirates' future eco-efficient fleet, and that is why we have ordered 58 of them."
Geoff Dixon, Qantas Chief Executive Officer said: “With a range of 15 200 km the A380 gives us huge benefits. The A380 is the ideal equipment to alleviate traffic congestion at busy airports, while coping with growth. It is a bigger aircraft, which is more efficient and better at handling frequencies on certain routes. This 21st Century flagship ticks a wide range of boxes for us.”
“Today is a special anniversary for Airbus,” said Airbus President and Chief Executive Officer Tom Enders. “It shows that with perseverance, hard work and close collaboration with airlines the A380 meets all its promised performance objectives. It brings real benefits to our customers as the aircraft’s efficiency and dispatch reliability is really unprecedented.”
To date, total orders and commitments for the A380 are 202 from 17 customers.
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