Official opening of the Berlin air show

The 2006 edition of ILA was officially opened this morning in front of the A380. A German delegation comprising Michael Glos, German Minister of Technology, Wolfgang Tiefensee, German Minister of Transport, Dagmar Wöhrl, State Secretary Economics and Matthias Platzeck, Prime Minister of Brandenburg, was welcomed for a formal ribbon cutting at the foot of the aircraft by Gustav Humbert, Airbus CEO and President.

Gustav Humbert then led the delegation inside the aircraft where he explained briefly the configuration of the test aircraft with its test equipment and water ballasts. The delegation also visited the cockpit where Jacques Rosay, Vice President Chief Test Pilot, who is flying the A380 at the air show, was present to give a few words of explanation.

After the A380 visit, the officials moved to the stands, stopping at the EADS stand. According to the organisers, this edition of ILA is the most important so far with more aircraft on display than ever before.

The first flight display of the show today was the occasion for Airbus to demonstrate the striking qualities of its three star aircraft, which flew in increasing order of size, the A318, the A340-600 and the A380.