By Tu Lei (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2007-10-27 10:13

"The Airbus 380 is greener, cleaner, quieter and smarter," said Lindsey Mi, Airbus vice-president of Communications at Airbus 380's Beijing stop yesterday.

The world's largest airliner, the Airbus A380 landed at Beijing International Airport yesterday following stops at Guangzhou and Shanghai on a one-week Airbus China tour.

The double-decker aircraft consumes only 2.9 liters of oil per hundred kilometers, 17 percent less fuel per seat than its peers, and its CO2 emissions are even lower than that of typical automobiles, said Mi.

Related readings:  Airbus A380 starts demonstration tour in China  Airbus A380 to debut in China late October

Figures show that Airbus is the first jetliner manufacturer to be certified according to the international environmental standards ISO 14001.

"It is also quieter than other large aircraft, and you can hardly catch the noises when the flight leaves the ground," added Mi.

The No 007 A380 airbus has 519 seats, of which 64 are business-class seats, 136 are economy-class seats upstairs, and are 12 first-class seats downstairs.

The aircraft also boasts public rest places, bars, and reception areas.

To date, the A380 has received 189 orders or commitments from 16 customers worldwide.

The No 007 A380 began its maiden flight in February 2006, and since has flown more than 200 hours.

It is scheduled to leave Beijing for Istanbul on October 29.