US debute of Airbus A380 jumbo jet to include landing at LA

01.03.2007 Source: URL: http://english.pravda.ru/world/87879-A380-0

The U.S. debut of Airbus' new line of super jumbo A380 jets will include a landing at Los Angeles International Airport after all.

On March 19, an A380 will land at Los Angeles while another A380 simultaneously lands at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport, city officials said Wednesday.

Los Angeles officials had recently been upset to learn that Airbus had decided to inaugurate A380 flights to the United States with an initial landing in New York. Local officials contended Airbus was reneging on a pledge to make the first U.S. stop in Los Angeles, which kept a promise to speed up construction of new $9 million gate for the jumbo jet.

The city Airport Commission president recently wrote to Airbus Chief Executive Louis Gallois in Toulouse, France, urging him to reconsider the decision.

The A380 coming to Los Angeles is being outfitted for Australia's Qantas Airways.

"Being part of the A380's inaugural visit to the U.S. is a clear indication that Los Angeles is a leading international gateway and that our airport is a world-class facility," Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said in a statement. "The A380 is at the leading edge of the future of aviation, and Los Angeles is proud to be a part of this historic moment."

The visit will serve as a test of the compatibility of the A380 with the airport. Crews will test its maneuverability on the airfield, docking at the gate, fueling and other ground services, the AP reports.

Specific details of the landing events were not immediately released.