Korean Air's first Airbus A380 (MSN35) has started final flight tests from the airframer's Hamburg Finkenwerder plant, ahead of delivery to Toulouse in preparation for customer handover.

Korean A380 
 © Airbus

Airbus says the Engine Alliance GP7200-powered aircraft will undergo tests of its cabin systems - including air conditioning, lighting, galleys, lavatories, seats and in-flight entertainment.

"In parallel, Airbus will also undertake advanced general performance tests with the aircraft," it adds.

Korean Air A380 flight 
 © Airbus

Korean Air will become the sixth operator of the A380 when it introduces the double-deck type in June. It will initially operate the A380 from its Seoul base to Asian destinations before deploying it on flight to North America and Europe.

It has orders for 10 of the aircraft and has just disclosed that it is taking five A330-200s and two Boeing 777-300ERs as part of its fleet modernisation.

Korean Air A380 take-off 
 © Airbus

Source: Flight International