First Singapore A380 Takes Shape In Tulouse

(From Press Releases by Singapore Airlines, Star Alliance and Airbus. Photos by Singapore Airlines, Star Alliance and Airbus.)

With long-range flight tests to Singapore on the new Airbus A380 aircraft well underway, work continues on Singapore Airlines’ A380s at Airbus headquarters in Toulouse, France.

Four of Singapore Airlines’ aircraft are already at different stages of production on the final assembly line. The first of these will soon be powered up for the first time, following the completion of final structural and systems installations.

Singapore Airlines will be the first airline in the world to fly the Airbus A380 at the end of 2006. The Airline announced its order for 25 A380s (10 firm and 15 on option) in September 2000. The order is worth US$8.6 billion, including the cost of spares and installed engines (but not including the cost of spare engines).

SIA's history can be traced back to May 1947, when Malayan Airways operated its first commercial flight linking Singapore with Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh and Penang. The airline was later renamed Malaysian Airways (1963) and Malaysia-Singapore Airlines (1967), which was split in two in 1972, creating Malaysian Airline System (since renamed Malaysia Airlines) and SIA. Over a period of more than half a century, SIA has earned a reputation as an innovative market leader, combining a quality product with excellent service.

SIA, together with its airline subsidiaries, Singapore Airlines Cargo and regional airline SilkAir, has a route network extending to 88 destinations in 38 countries, serving Asia, Europe, North America, the Middle East, the South West Pacific, and Africa.

SIA has one of the youngest fleets of any major airline, with an average age of just over 5 years. The airline operates a fleet of MEGATOP 747s and JUBILEE 777s, and will take delivery of its first A340-500 in December 2003. SIA will be the first airline in the world to operate the Airbus A380 "super jumbo" when it joins the fleet in early 2006.

Excellence in customer service has been integral to SIA's success. Superb inflight service is the cornerstone of its reputation for customer service and hospitality. SIA has developed a reputation for being an industry trend-setter. The list of industry-leading innovations by SIA includes being the first to offer free headsets, a choice of meals and free drinks in Economy Class in the 1970s, and the first with satellite-based inflight telephones in 1991. In 2001 the Airline became the first to introduce a global inflight e-mail system to all passengers SIA has also taken inflight dining to new heights with the formation of its International Culinary Panel and World Gourmet Cuisine.

The care and attention that Singapore Airlines gives its customers, symbolised by the Singapore Girl, has earned the Airline many industry and travel awards, including Conde Nast Traveller's "Best International Airline" award in 14 out of the last 15 years.

Airbus A380 To Visit Singapore In November

13 October 2005

Singapore will be the first city outside Europe to welcome the new Airbus A380, the world’s first fully double-decker aircraft, when it arrives at Singapore Changi Airport next month.

Here as part of the A380 flight test campaign, the aircraft will test its long-range flight capability in its non-stop journey to Singapore. While on the ground, it will participate in a wide range of tests with launch customer Singapore Airlines and inaugural airport, Singapore Changi Airport, to ensure that ground-handling equipment and airport enhancements being developed for the aircraft adequately meet its needs.

The A380 flight test campaign involves over 2,500 hours of flight tests conducted across three continents on five A380 development aircraft. This will culminate in certification by the European and American airworthiness authorities, after which the world's largest commercial airliner will be delivered to Singapore Airlines.

As first in the world to operate the A380 at the end of 2006, Singapore Airlines will pioneer a new era in global commercial aviation. Customers on the Singapore Airlines A380, particularly those in the premium classes, will enjoy the greater luxury and comfort that the increased space on this aircraft affords. There will be less than 480 seats in a three-class configuration on the Singapore Airlines A380, although the aircraft was designed to accommodate 555 passengers in the same layout. The cabin products on the Singapore Airlines A380 will also be noticeably different from what is on offer today. The Airline has ten A380s on firm order, and fifteen on option.

As the inaugural airport for the A380, Singapore Changi Airport has spent over S$60 million to get Changi Airport’s Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 ready to accommodate the A380 aircraft operations in 2006. Modifications works, which started in early 2004, include the installation of a third Passenger Loading Bridge (PLB) which will allow passengers direct access to the upper deck of the A380. These additional PLBs are being installed at the 11 gate holdrooms being modified in Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 to handle the A380. Other modification works include the widening of runway shoulders as well as widening of runway-taxiway and taxiway-taxiway intersections. In future, Terminal 3 will also have eight A380-compatible gate holdrooms, each with three PLBs. In addition, two A380-compatible freighter aircraft stands and remote aircraft parking stands have been constructed.