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A380 starts passenger flight test A380 starts passenger flight test
(about 1 hour later)
An Airbus A380 super-jumbo has taken off from southern France on its first test flight with passengers.An Airbus A380 super-jumbo has taken off from southern France on its first test flight with passengers.
With 474 Airbus staff filling seats in first, business and economy class, they will be testing everything from the plane's televisions to its toilets.With 474 Airbus staff filling seats in first, business and economy class, they will be testing everything from the plane's televisions to its toilets.
The seven-hour flight is due to be the first of four this week designed to check all the A380's on-board services.The seven-hour flight is due to be the first of four this week designed to check all the A380's on-board services.
Airbus also said that it was replacing the head of the A380 project, which has been hit by delay problems.Airbus also said that it was replacing the head of the A380 project, which has been hit by delay problems.
It said Charles Champion is to be replaced by Mario Heinen, the current boss of the A320 plane.It said Charles Champion is to be replaced by Mario Heinen, the current boss of the A320 plane.
'Human feedback''Human feedback'
A total of 1,900 Airbus employees have been selected for this week's test flights.A total of 1,900 Airbus employees have been selected for this week's test flights.
The A380 has two full floors of seatingThe A380 has two full floors of seating
Their names were picked at random from the 15,000 staff who applied for the mission from Airbus offices around the world.Their names were picked at random from the 15,000 staff who applied for the mission from Airbus offices around the world.
"These four test flights with real passengers will give us human feedback on life on board this plane which can do distances of up to 15,000 kilometres [9,300 miles]," said chief test pilot Jacques Rosay."These four test flights with real passengers will give us human feedback on life on board this plane which can do distances of up to 15,000 kilometres [9,300 miles]," said chief test pilot Jacques Rosay.
Mr Champion's departure is the latest problem to befall the A380 programme since it was announced in June that the first deliveries would be delayed by six months because of a problem with the plane's wiring.Mr Champion's departure is the latest problem to befall the A380 programme since it was announced in June that the first deliveries would be delayed by six months because of a problem with the plane's wiring.
The delay has already led to the resignation of former Airbus chief executive Gustav Humbert.The delay has already led to the resignation of former Airbus chief executive Gustav Humbert.
It also contributed to the departure of Noel Forgeard, the then co-chief executive of Airbus' main parent company EADS.It also contributed to the departure of Noel Forgeard, the then co-chief executive of Airbus' main parent company EADS.
Mr Forgeard departed after he was accused deliberately selling EADS shares before the delays to the A380 were announced to the markets, something he denies.Mr Forgeard departed after he was accused deliberately selling EADS shares before the delays to the A380 were announced to the markets, something he denies.
Possible salePossible sale
The first deliveries of the A380 will be made in December to Singapore Airlines.The first deliveries of the A380 will be made in December to Singapore Airlines.
So far 16 airlines have ordered 159 of the aircraft.So far 16 airlines have ordered 159 of the aircraft.
Airbus employs a total of 57,000 people around the globe.Airbus employs a total of 57,000 people around the globe.
In the UK it has a workforce of 13,000 people who design and build the wings for its planes across two main sites - Broughton in North Wales and Filton near Bristol. In the UK it has a workforce of 13,000 people who design and build the wings for its planes across two main sites - Broughton in north Wales and Filton near Bristol.
While EADS owns 80% of Airbus, the other 20% stake is currently in the hands of UK defence and aerospace group BAE Systems.While EADS owns 80% of Airbus, the other 20% stake is currently in the hands of UK defence and aerospace group BAE Systems.
However, BAE Systems is currently exploring a possible sale of its share in Airbus.However, BAE Systems is currently exploring a possible sale of its share in Airbus.