NEWS | Wednesday, 29 August 2007

Emirates and Airbus conclude week-long tests

With an onboard team of almost 80 Airbus personnel, the 21st century flagship aircraft A380 took off from Dubai on 17 August.
During its week-long Dubai visit, the aircraft, MSN 007, was the centrepiece of numerous compatibility tests including taxiway, runway and ground support equipment tests.
From the time the test campaign was conceived, Emirates was clear – tests must be as real as possible. Two of the test flights were operated in the morning when Dubai International Airport was at its busiest, followed by two flights later in the afternoon. The flights were operated at almost 80 per cent load factor – the average seat factor experienced by the Dubai-based airline.
Emirates has ordered 55 A380s. With forecasts indicating a doubling of air traffic in the next 15 years, the A380 – the world’s largest aircraft – is aptly designed for world growth, while at the same time minimizing impact on the environment.
Emirates flies five times weekly from Dubai to Malta via Larnaca in Cyprus.