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BA prepares for first A380 London arrival
British Airways is preparing for the arrival of the first Airbus A380 to fly into a UK airport on passenger service this afternoon.
Engineers from the airline will handle maintenance of the Singapore Airlines double-decker at Heathrow. The aircraft is due to touch down from Singapore at 15.15.
BA will be the first UK airline to operate the aircraft and will have the largest Heathrow-based A380 fleet. By 2014, approximately 200 BA pilots will be allocated to A380s.
The carrier is considering using the aircraft for flights from destinations such as Singapore, Hong Kong and Johannesburg.
The airline will shortly be inviting tenders for the design of the cabin interiors.
Flight crew from BA will begin preparations for delivery of the airline’s own fleet of 12 A380s from April 2012.
Captain Jim Harlow has become the first UK airline pilot to qualify to fly the A380. He has flown for BA for 11 years and currently holds a command in BA’s A320 fleet at Heathrow.
 BA commercial director Robert Boyle said: “Just as Terminal 5 enables us to improve the customer experience on the ground, the A380 will give us the opportunity to raise standards in all cabins.
“We see the A380 as a catalyst for change, and our goal will be to offer the very best of onboard hospitality and overall journey experience.â€
by Phil DaviesÂ
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