Airbus A380 five tons overweight at inauguration
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-01-18 16:11

The Airbus A380 superjumbo is five tonnes overweight but this is less than one percent of its maximum weight and airlines are not worried, John Leahy, commercial director at Airbus, said on Tuesday.

First prototype of the new Airbus A380. [AFP/file]

He was speaking on CNBC television as Airbus prepared a formal inauguration of the aircraft at a media ceremony at the final assembly plant in Toulouse.

"The airlines are not at all concerned. We are about five tonnes over the original spec weight but that is less than 1 percent of the 560 tonnes maximum take-off weight," Leahy said.

Airbus has 149 orders and commitments from 14 airlines for the A380, which is due to make its first test flight in March or April, according to Airbus chief Noel Forgeard.

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