Singapore Airline

Singapore Airlines says it plans daily Singapore-Paris flights using A380s, of which it was the first airline to take delivery in October 2007. -- PHOTO: AFP

PARIS - THE world's biggest passenger jet, the Airbus A380, made its first commercial flight to Paris on Tuesday when a Singapore Airlines flight arrived at Charles de Gaulle airport.

But the official welcoming ceremony was cut back because of the Air France disaster. The missing French jet carrying 228 people had been due to arrive at the same airport on Monday morning. French Ecology Minister Jean-Louis Borloo, who is in charge of transport affairs, cancelled his planned appearance.

Singapore Airlines already runs A380 flights to Sydney, London and Tokyo.

The flight left Singapore on Monday at 2140 GMT (5.40am Singapore time) and arrived in Paris at 0440 GMT on Tuesday. It was to leave on a return flight later on Tuesday. Among the passengers will be the French rugby union team which is leaving for a tour of the Pacific.

Singapore Airlines says it plans daily Singapore-Paris flights using A380s, of which it was the first airline to take delivery in October 2007.

An airline source said there had been a delay in the delivery of one new A380 intended for the route.

It has ordered 19 of the long range jets and has options for six others. -- AFP