Airbus will next Monday celebrate the first delivery of the giant A380 double-deck four engined airliner to its first client Singapore Airline, the company said Friday.

 

This ceremony, to be organized by Singapore Airline, Rolls- Royce and Airbus, will be held at the Toulouse Airbus Delivery Center in southern France, according to the statement.

 

"We have achieved a major step in the A380 program, and I would like to express my deep gratitude to all those who participated in it. I would also like to thank our teams and all those who worked hard, day and night including the week-end, for their devotion and commitment," Tom Enders, Airbus chief executive officer, is quoted as saying by the statement.

 

A380 currently has a total of 189 firm orders and intents to purchase from 16 clients.

 

Other aircrafts of the same model for Singapore Airlines, Emirates Airlines and Qantas are also going to be delivered soon, according to Airbus.

 

(Xinhua News Agency October 13, 2007)