BAA HEATHROW will welcome the world”s largest commercial airliner, the
Airbus A380, on Thursday 18 May, when it makes its British debut to
carry out airport compatibility checks. The Rolls-Royce Trent powered
(and 60% British by components) A380, will arrive on Heathrow”s
southern runway and will park at Terminal 3, Pier 6 ” a new
purpose-built ”100m facility that is 280 metres long, three storeys
high pier which can accommodate up to four A380s at a time. During
its UK visit, BAA and Airbus will be carrying out ground handling and
airport compatibility trials, which will help to ensure that everything
is ready for the aircraft”s entry into service. Airlines planning to
operate the A380 at Heathrow include the first to begin scheduled
service ” Singapore Airlines ” for whom deliveries are scheduled before
year-end; as well as Emirates, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas, Qatar
Airways and Virgin Atlantic.
http://www.airbus.com/en/presscentre/pressreleases/pressreleases_items/06_04_06_a380_heathrow