Image copyright Alamy
The world’s biggest jet has flown again after eight months in the wings.
The Airbus A380 superjumbo has been powered by Rolls-Royce engines for the first time since it was grounded in April last year.
Unveiled last September, the new A380s will continue to serve as a flagship for Emirates airline.
Image copyright International Aero Engines Image caption The engine for the new engines is currently under construction
The new Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines will power its fleet of 18 A380s – the first of which is currently scheduled to be delivered in November this year.
The rest of the fleet will be delivered at intervals of seven years.
It’s part of a programme to convert 37 A380s currently on order to be powered by the new engine.
Image copyright Rolls-Royce Image caption Rolls-Royce had been carrying out engine tests on older engines in the meantime
The decision to use new engines was in response to concerns that a pressure fault found with several Trent 900s operating on A380s could threaten future air safety.
This was also a factor in the decision for Rolls-Royce to power the new A380s in its Singapore factory.
Image copyright J.O’Boyle/Alamy Image caption There are 30 of the A380s in Emirates’ fleet
The world’s largest passenger jet, the A380 can carry more than 550 passengers in its customary three-class configuration.
Emirates confirmed in September that it was interested in continuing with the development of the plane.
It was due to make its first public flight, carrying First Class passengers, on 16 December last year but this was cancelled by Dubai airport operator DP World.
