The A380, which can transport between 555 and 840 people, or 40 percent
more than the Boeing 747, was to return to Berlin early Friday.

Singapore Airlines was to be the first carrier to put the plane into
passenger service later in 2006. Other airlines that have placed orders
include Virgin Atlantic, Qantas, Qatar Airways and Dubai-based
Emirates.

According to Airbus, the development costs of the A380 stand at about
10.7 billion dollars (8.4 billion euros) and the average catalogue
price of each aircraft is 300 million dollars (235 million euros).

So far, 16 airlines have lodged a total of 159 firm orders for the
Airbus plane. Champion of Airbus said Thursday that any airline wishing
to order A380s at the present time would have to wait until 2011 for
delivery.