Airbus sets first A380 flight for Wednesday
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-04-25 19:36

The world's biggest airliner, the Airbus A380, is set to make its maiden flight on Wednesday morning depending on the weather and the absence of last-minute problems, aircraft maker Airbus said on Monday.

The massive double-decker plane has room for more than 800 passengers and airlines have spoken of equipping it with cocktail bars and gymnasiums.

It is the most closely watched new airliner since the supersonic Concorde first flew in 1969.

The flight will mark the start of just over a year of testing before Singapore Airlines begins service.

Engineers are conducting final pre-flight tests on the debut aircraft at Airbus headquarters in Toulouse, France.

Eleven passenger airlines have already laid down money to buy more than 100 of the $285 million planes.

European aerospace group EADS owns 80 percent of Airbus and UK defence firm BAE Systems holds 20 percent.

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