The Airbus 380 landed gently on runway 16 at Zurich airport shortly after
08.20 h on 20 January 2010. Over 10,000 people flocked to the airport to
welcome the world’s largest passenger aircraft. The first aviation fans
began to arrive at 07.30 h to bag the best places to marvel at the plane
after it touched down. Solar pioneer Bertrand Piccard was among the large
mixed public. “Just by accident - I had a meeting here,” he explained. The
airport police cordoned off the last few metres around the Airbus. The
onlookers were able to admire the aircraft at close quarters but not board
it. The public event ended at noon with the afternoon reserved for
technicians to make a thorough inspection and run various airport tests, in
accordance with the Federal Office of Civil Aviation regulations to allow
the airport to be certified for Airbus 380 flights. The following day the
Airbus flew to Geneva for the airport to undergo similar certification
tests. The enormous aircraft then returned to the Airbus works in Toulouse,
France. The Airbus 380 can carry up to 853 passengers on two levels and has
an incredible wingspan of around 80 metres.
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