TOULOUSE, Dec 12 - The Airbus A380, the world’s largest civilian airliner, received its air worthiness certificate from US and European authorities, 10 months before Singapore Airlines is to get the first commercial model.

The certificate was endorsed by Patrick Goudou for the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and John Hickey for the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) at an Airbus facility in Toulouse, southern France.

Standing in a hangar before a massive, spotlit A380, Louis Gallois, chief executive of Airbus and co-chief executive of the parent group EADS said: “This double seal of approval represents a key milestone for the A380 program.

“It recognises the quality of the work performed by all those who have worked hard for many years” to develop the superjumbo jet.

Gallois, who was named head of Airbus in October to resolve chronic production problems with the A380, said the certification “confirms that the aircraft is meeting or exceeding the expectations in terms of performance, range and environmental friendliness and cabin comfort.

“Both customers and their passengers will love it,” he vowed.

Five A380 test aircraft have carried out more than 800 flights lasting 2,600 hours in a test campaign that began in April 2005.

FAA Administrator Marion Blakey, who also addressed the ceremony, said the certification process had been marked by “superb cooperation between Airbus, the EASA and the FAA.”

Singapore Airlines was to have received its first A380 early this year but delays have progressively pushed back the plane’s arrival.
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