World's largest plane begins regular service to Glasgow

Glasgow Airport has introduced a triple airbridge to operate the A380

The world’s largest commercial aircraft has started regular flights to Glasgow.

The Airbus A380 will fly twice a day, on a route operated by Emirates, between Glasgow and Dubai from Tuesday 16 April for six months.

Glasgow Airport has invested more than £8m in readying the airport – Scotland’s second-busiest after Edinburgh – for the Superjumbo, including introducing a triple airbridge.

There will be three classes onboard – Economy, Business and First, which are Emirates’ private suites.

Previously, the twice-daily service to Emirates’ hub city was flown using a Boeing 777-300 aircraft.

The A380 is the world’s largest commercial aircraft, standing more than 24m high and with a wingspan of almost 80m. In February, Airbus announced it would end production of the A380 in 2021, following a slowdown in sales.

It’s not the first time that the A380 has landed in Glasgow Airport. The Superjumbo first touched down in April 2014 to celebrate 10 years of Emirates flying into Scotland’s second city.

Emirates has been flying between Dubai and Glasgow for 15 years, carrying more than 4.5 million passengers between the two cities.

The Glasgow-Dubai route launch marks the first time that the A380 has been flown on a scheduled route.

“The decision by Emirates to introduce the A380 is not only a huge milestone for Glasgow Airport, it marks what is a first in the Scottish aviation industry,” Mark Johnston, managing director of Glasgow Airport, said in December when the launch was announced.

“We have forged a valued relationship with Emirates since its inaugural flight in April 2004 and the introduction of Scotland’s first-ever scheduled A380 service represents a major vote of confidence in the city.”