An Airbus A380 destined for Singapore on the first leg of a final round-the-world test mission took off shortly after 2:50 pm (1350 GMT) from the southern French city of Toulouse on Monday, Airbus said.
Around 60 people, including four Airbus pilots as well as pilots from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), were set to test the aircraft under normal operating conditions. The tests are expected to be the last major hurdle before the A380 is fully certified later this year to become the largest passenger plane in service. In Singapore, estimated time of arrival was 10:00 am (0200 GMT) on Tuesday, Airbus said.
From there it was due to fly to Seoul on Wednesday before returning to Toulouse late Thursday. During the final series of tests that is to comprise four flights in all, engineers, officials and safety experts are to verify that airports are ready to receive the A380, which can carry between 555-840 passengers depending on the seating plan.
Checks of refuelling practices and maintenance work are also planned. The tests are to include 150 hours of flying time to 10 airports, of which seven are in Asia. Crews are also to touch down in Australia, South Africa and Canada during the 17-day program.