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18/05/2006
Airbus A380 lands at Heathrow
The world's largest passenger aircraft, the Airbus A380, has made its first landing at Heathrow Airport.
The 240ft-long aircraft flew to London from Berlin on Thursday and landed at Heathrow's new £105 million pier 6 at Terminal 3.
The A380 flew into Heathrow to test the airport's facilities, before returning to Berlin on Friday.
Around £450 million has been spent to get Heathrow ready to handle the A380, including work on resurfacing runways, upgrading runway lighting and the construction of new taxiways.
The A380 is due to go into passenger service at the end of the year, with Singapore airlines being the first operator to put it into service.
The A380 has been hailed as being more environmentally friendly than older aircraft. However, environmental campaigners remain unconvinced.
Friends of the Earth aviation campaigner Richard Dyer said: "Cleaner aircraft are certainly needed, but they are not the solution to the rising impact of aviation emissions on our climate. Any benefits gained by building more fuel efficient aircraft will be swamped by the rapid growth in air travel. Government action is urgently required to curb the anticipated rise in flights. This must include ending the £9 billion effective subsidy handed to the air industry by UK taxpayers every year, and the scrapping of ludicrous plans for a massive expansion in British airports."
(KMcA/GB)
The 240ft-long aircraft flew to London from Berlin on Thursday and landed at Heathrow's new £105 million pier 6 at Terminal 3.
The A380 flew into Heathrow to test the airport's facilities, before returning to Berlin on Friday.
Around £450 million has been spent to get Heathrow ready to handle the A380, including work on resurfacing runways, upgrading runway lighting and the construction of new taxiways.
The A380 is due to go into passenger service at the end of the year, with Singapore airlines being the first operator to put it into service.
The A380 has been hailed as being more environmentally friendly than older aircraft. However, environmental campaigners remain unconvinced.
Friends of the Earth aviation campaigner Richard Dyer said: "Cleaner aircraft are certainly needed, but they are not the solution to the rising impact of aviation emissions on our climate. Any benefits gained by building more fuel efficient aircraft will be swamped by the rapid growth in air travel. Government action is urgently required to curb the anticipated rise in flights. This must include ending the £9 billion effective subsidy handed to the air industry by UK taxpayers every year, and the scrapping of ludicrous plans for a massive expansion in British airports."
(KMcA/GB)
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18 March 2008
'Superjumbo' Takes Flight
The Airbus A380 superjumbo, is to fly into Heathrow today as it makes its first commercial flight to Europe. Singapore Airlines is the first carrier to operate the new double-decker aircraft on revenue-earning services.
'Superjumbo' Takes Flight
The Airbus A380 superjumbo, is to fly into Heathrow today as it makes its first commercial flight to Europe. Singapore Airlines is the first carrier to operate the new double-decker aircraft on revenue-earning services.
18 January 2005
Hewitt praises British firms behind Airbus A380
Trade and Industry Secretary, Patricia Hewitt, has praised the four hundred British manufacturing firms who helped to deliver the world's biggest civil aircraft, which has been unveiled in France. The building of the Airbus A380 was the largest civil aviation project in the world.
Hewitt praises British firms behind Airbus A380
Trade and Industry Secretary, Patricia Hewitt, has praised the four hundred British manufacturing firms who helped to deliver the world's biggest civil aircraft, which has been unveiled in France. The building of the Airbus A380 was the largest civil aviation project in the world.
18 January 2005
Superjumbo Airbus A380 rolls out of hangar
The world's largest passenger carrying aircraft, the Airbus A380, is being unveiled this morning at a lavish ceremony in Toulouse, France.
Superjumbo Airbus A380 rolls out of hangar
The world's largest passenger carrying aircraft, the Airbus A380, is being unveiled this morning at a lavish ceremony in Toulouse, France.
01 November 2012
China Sovereign Wealth Fund Buys Heathrow Airport Stake
China Investment Corporation (CIC), the country's sovereign wealth fund, now owns a 10% stake in the firm that owns five UK airports including London's Heathrow. Under the terms of the agreement CIC will pay £450m ($726m) for a 10% stake in Heathrow Airport Holdings Ltd, which was previously known as BAA Ltd. The fund will buy a 5.
China Sovereign Wealth Fund Buys Heathrow Airport Stake
China Investment Corporation (CIC), the country's sovereign wealth fund, now owns a 10% stake in the firm that owns five UK airports including London's Heathrow. Under the terms of the agreement CIC will pay £450m ($726m) for a 10% stake in Heathrow Airport Holdings Ltd, which was previously known as BAA Ltd. The fund will buy a 5.
15 August 2005
Catering dispute talks as BA flights resume
Talks in an attempt to resolve an industrial dispute that had sparked the chaos which stranded 70,000 passengers at Heathrow, are expected to resume today. The sacking of around 670 workers at in-flight meals company Gate Gourmet led to sympathy action by BA baggage handlers.
Catering dispute talks as BA flights resume
Talks in an attempt to resolve an industrial dispute that had sparked the chaos which stranded 70,000 passengers at Heathrow, are expected to resume today. The sacking of around 670 workers at in-flight meals company Gate Gourmet led to sympathy action by BA baggage handlers.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Gale, coastal severe gale, northwest winds ease from late afternoon. Scattered showers will fall as snow over the hills at first, becoming isolated from mid-afternoon. Maximum temperature 7 °C.Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
