MANILA, Oct. 8 (PNA) — President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomed the arrival of the world’s biggest passenger airline as it landed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 in Pasay City on Tuesday night.
Emirates Airbus A380 Flight EK 334 touched down at the NAIA runway at 10:10 p.m. after flying non-stop from the Dubai International Airport since 9:20 a.m. (Manila time).
After taxiing at the runway, the Airbus was given a water cannon salute.
The Airbus A380 is a double-deck, wide-body, four-engine jet airliner. It has a seating capacity of 525 people in a typical three-class configuration or up to 853 people in an all-economy class configuration.
Flight EK 334 was piloted by Captain Franklyn Desiderio, the first Filipino to fly the Airbus A380.
The President, together with Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice President Barry Brown, met and greeted Desiderio and the more than 300 passengers of Flight EK334 as they passed through the NAIA immigration area.
In a written statement, Brown said, “Bringing our flagship A380 to Manila is a fantastic way to celebrate our move to the new international terminal and also our commitment to the Philippines.”
During the event, the President was accompanied by Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya, Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Jose Angel Honrado, Ret. Lt. Gen. William Hotchskiss III, and NAIA Terminal 3 Manager Octovio Lina. (PNA)