A380's low flights open HK airshow
Updated: 2007-09-03 14:01
HONG KONG - Airbus A380, the world's biggest passenger plane so far, made low flights across the Victoria Harbor in central Hong Kong in a flying show shortly before the opening of Asia's largest airshow on Monday morning.
 An Airbus A380 flies over Hong Kong's Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong to mark the Asian Aerospace International Expo and Congress September 3, 2007. [Reuters]
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The superjumbo jet, 72.8 meters long and with a wingspan of 79.8 meters, thrilled spectators at the harbor by flying low against the backdrop of dense skyscrapers nearby, making it possible for people on the ground to have an unusually detailed view.
The plane generated a comparatively smaller noise as it flied over the Victoria Harbor, a spectator was quoted by the local RTHK radio as saying.
The plane arrived at Hong Kong's International Airport at Chek Lap Kok at about 6:30 pm local time Sunday. It took off from the airport at about 7:53 am local time on Monday.
Some got up early to gather at the Peak, of a hill on the Hong Kong Island, for a closer look at the "big bird", which was expected to join about 10 aircraft on display at the Asian Aerospace International Expo and Congress, held Monday through Thursday.
The star of the conference scraped an airport building in Bangkok, Thailand on Saturday, one of its destinations on an Asian tour of business promotion. The plane suffered slight damages in the left wing but was still able to fly on, officials said.
The Civil Aviation Department of Hong Kong requires it to fly at 1,000 feet (305 meters) or above.
The A380 heads to Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday on the final stage of its tour.
The Asian Aerospace International Expo and Congress, held in Hong Kong, China, for the first time in 25 years, after moving from its original home in Singapore, expects 500 exhibiting companies from more than 20 countries and 10,000 trade visitors.
Organizers said the show shed exhibitions from the military sector after its move but added exhibitions focusing on aircraft interiors and the air freight sector.
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