World's largest passenger plane touches down in Manchester
The Airbus A380 superjumbo - the world's largest passenger plane – has been welcomed by Manchester Airport, The Independent has reported.
Operated by Dubai-based airline Emirates, the 500 seat aircraft arrived in Manchester on September 1st, marking the first time a regional UK airport has received an A380.
Chairman of aerospace, defence and security trade organisation ADS, Ian Godden, commented, "The UK aerospace sector is number one in Europe and second only to the US globally.
"The Airbus A380 is an embodiment of this success - up to half of the aircraft is made in Britain with major contributions from many world leading British-based companies of all sizes."
The double-decker A380s have been in operation since October 2007 with Singapore Airlines, and the first flights into London Heathrow Airport began in March 2008.
Several other carriers are set to take delivery of A380s in the next few years, including British Airways and Virgin Atlantic.