2011-03-05 13:29

PARIS - The first Airbus A380 of China Southern Airlines, the biggest Chinese airline by fleet size, made its maiden flight on Friday.

The plane flew from France to Germany for cabin work and painting, the French producer Airbus said in a statement.

The first of five Airbus A380s ordered by China Southern Airlines flew to Hamburg, Germany from Toulouse, France, after completion of the final assembly and system tests in Toulouse, Airbus said.

The A380, coated in green against corrosion was powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines and will be painted in full China Southern livery, according to Airbus.

China Southern Airlines will become the seventh A380 operator. Earlier in the day, the Chinese airline firm announced plans to have its first A380 in the second half of 2011.