Two Sri Lankans among first to pilot Emirates’ new Airbus A380
The addition of the iconic new Airbus A380 Super Jumbo aircraft to
the Emirates fleet has provided two Sri Lankans with the opportunity to
become part of this milestone in the history of the Dubai-based
international airline.
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Suren Ratwatte and Suhail Hashim in the cockpit of the
Emirates A380. |
Captains Suren Ratwatte and Suhail Hashim, who joined Emirates in
1989, are among the first of the airline’s pilots to fly the brand-new
aircraft. Ratwatte flew the prototype aircraft registered as F-WWDD out
of Airbus Industry’s home airfield in Toulouse France on June 18, while
his friend Captain Suhail Hashim flew the same aircraft the following
day.
The two pilots were part of the first batch of Emirates crew to
qualify to fly the huge aircraft, now being operated by Emirates between
Dubai and New York.
“This is something that all Sri Lankans can be proud of,” said
Chandana de Silva, Emirates’ Area Manager for Sri Lanka and Maldives.
“The A380 is the world’s largest commercial aircraft, and Suren’s and
Suhail’s achievement is a tribute to the abilities of our pilots and the
prominent role they can play in global aviation.”
The A380 is the world’s only twin-deck, two-aisle airliner, offering
the widest cabin of any aircraft.
Emirates was the first airline to place a firm order for the A380
when it signed a firm commitment and placed a deposit for seven aircraft
in July 2000.
By November 2007, the carrier had placed firm orders for 58 A380s. |
