Thai Airways International’s First A380 Makes Its Maiden Flight

The first A380 for Thai Airways International took off for its maiden flight on March 5 following completion of the airframe assembly and system tests in Toulouse.

The first of six Airbus A380s for Thai Airways International made its maiden flight on March 5, 2012, taking off from Toulouse Blagnac and landing more than four hours later at Hamburg Airport. Airbus has major facilities at both airports. Its widebody final assembly line is at Toulouse and the manufacturer performs much of its completion work and Hamburg, which is also the location of the A319 assembly line

After a flight of more than four hours, the aircraft landed in Hamburg in Germany, where it is entering the next phase of production, covering cabin installation and painting.

Thai Airways International will become the ninth operator of the Airbus A380 when it takes delivery of its first aircraft in the third quarter of 2012.

Existing A380 operators include Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Qantas Airways, Air France, Lufthansa, Korean Air and China Southern Airlines.

Malaysia Airlines is also due to receive its first Airbus A380 this year.

Thai Airways International has firm orders for six A380s and will operate the aircraft on routes from Bangkok to Europe.