The “green aircraft” flies to Hamburg for cabin installation and painting

The first of five Airbus A380s for China Southern Airlines has made its maiden flight today after completion of the final assembly and system tests in Toulouse.

The aircraft, powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines, flew from Toulouse, France to Hamburg, Germany, where the cabin will be installed and the aircraft will be painted in full China Southern livery.

The green colour of the aircraft shown is a protective coating against corrosion.

China Southern ordered five A380s in April, 2005, becoming the first A380 client in China. China Southern Airlines will become the seventh A380 operator and the delivery of the aircraft is scheduled later in 2011.