Singapore Pavilion features A380 model display at ATM 2005

Poised to be the largest yet, the Singapore Pavilion at this year’s Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2005 will be greatly enhanced by the presence of Singapore Airlines (SIA), the first airline to fly the world’s largest aircraft, the Airbus A380. Featuring a 1: 50 scale A380 model display, the pavilion will host officials from SIA as well as representatives from some of Singapore’s leading tourist attractions, travel companies, and hotels. The Airbus A380 double-decker is the most advanced, spacious and efficient airliner ever conceived. Being displayed for the first time in the Middle East, the model is an exact replica of the actual aircraft and includes the recently launched ‘First to Fly A380’ logo located between the aircraft’s twin row of windows. “The A380 will enable Singapore Airlines to increase capacity while ensuring the highest quality flying experience, which bodes well for the future of tourism in Singapore. We anticipate a dramatic rise in tourist traffic from across the globe once the aircrafts are airborne,” said Alan Tan, area director, Middle East and Africa, Singapore Tourism Board. Singapore Airlines will launch its first commercial flights in mid-2006 on routes to London and Sydney, and will use its subsequent A380s to operate flights to Hong Kong, San Francisco and later to Paris and Frankfurt, it was announced at the recent Airbus A380 reveal event in January 2005. The airline’s A380s will seat just less than 480 passengers in a three-class layout, representing a 30 percent increase in passenger numbers compared to the maximum number on its Boeing 747 aircraft. No stranger to creating history, Singapore Airlines achieved another aviation milestone in June last year, when it launched non-stop services between Singapore and New York. These flights take 18 hours in either direction, shaving more hours off travelling for the customers. “Our decision to be the first airline to operate the A380 underscores our commitment to remain the most innovative and service-oriented company in the air travel industry. An event like ATM allows us to share this with a growing and captive audience in the Middle East, one that we hope to transport to Singapore and beyond to ‘experience the difference’ on our new aircraft,” said Zainul Al Junied, General Manager Gulf, Singapore Airlines.