02.03.06
The world's biggest aircraft, the A380 superjumbo, could grow even bigger. European plane maker Airbus is said to be considering building a stretched version that could carry up to 1000 passengers and fly further.
The A380-900 would be an enlarged version of the A380-800 model, which is now on test flights and due to enter commercial service around November this year for Singapore Airlines. The larger model could take to the skies in 2012.
Charles Champion, Airbus's chief operating officer, said: 'The development of the [stretched A380] aircraft will depend on market demand. There are already some customers asking for that type of aircraft. We could see this development coming in 2014-15, but it could be earlier, in 2011 or 2012.'
The stretched version of the flying mammoth would raise seating capacity 15 percent and add 500 more nautical miles (NM) to the range an A380-800 can fly, he told the Bangkok Post.
The French executive did not name the potential buyers of the A380-900. However, aviation analysts said the stretched version could be used for long-haul discount operations. Or it could be used for conventional airlines for heavy-traffic, intercontinental routes such as London - Sydney.
