Tuesday, Jul 29, 2008
Hamburg: Acrobats, lasers and post-modern dancers ushered in the hotly-anticipated unveiling of Emirates new Airbus A380.
The mammoth new aircraft - the first of over 50 to be delivered via Hamburg in Germany was revealed to an unsuspecting crowd of 200 guests at the Airbus factory on Monday.
The show had all the pomp and theatrics of a New Year's Eve party in a European city.
But with Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Group, as well as Emirates President Tim Clark and Airbus CEO Tom Enders, no expense was spared for this momentous throwdown.
Shortly after a dancer, who created sounds through the use of transistors attached to her limbs, the real drama began. All eyes were fixed on a singer wrapped in an elegant red evening gown, only to be wrenched away when the curtain behind her dropped to bring the new A380 in full view outside on the tarmac.
Alongside it, cheering and waving, were over 2,000 Hamburg residents, workers at the Airbus factory here who put this airplane together. It was a somewhat touching addition, considering that people from this bustling industrial city have spent the last ten years on the A380 project. Crafting the interior of the A380 has been a huge operation here in this bustling European city. Excited guests and around 120 journalists were treated to a sneak preview on the double-decker aircraft. It may be the first A380 in the Emirates livery, but with 14 flat-bed Private Suites in first class, and 76 seats in Business class, this new airplane is simply oozing with opulence.
The new Economy class, which take up the lower deck of the aircraft are impressive, with their 10-inch flat screens and spacious seating, despite the removal of a foot rest.
But enough about that. Economy class is not what has attracted the attention of the industry. It is - moreover - the action on the upper level. The onboard shower spas and lounge area were where most the snapping and filming was taking place. Next to the fully stocked bar are two sofas facing a 42-inch LCD screen, kissed softly by well positioned lighting.
Reporters also squeezed into the luxury wood-panelled cubicle, gawking at the temperature/time control and rubbing circles with the palms of their hands on the leather seating. And, imagine if you will, lathering away on the way to New York, there's always the 15-inch flat screen shower TV giving you a live Airshow. The unveiling of this huge aircraft was done in a truly outrageous way, it was a celebration Dubai-style in the heart of a European city.
But it is clear looking at the reactions of local residents here the delivery of this aircraft has brought both a sense of pride to Hamburg residents, and a buzz of excitement back in Dubai.
By Ashraf Helmi
Gulf News 2008. All rights reserved.
