A DELAYED arrival and a tight schedule means the new Airbus 380 mega jet - the world's largest passenger plane - will be in Singapore for one day instead of the scheduled two.
But the aircraft will be back early next year, possibly for the Asian Aerospace air show, said an Airbus spokesman.
The short visit tomorrow will leave too little time for baggage, cargo-loading and other tests by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) and Singapore Airlines (SIA), which will be the first airline to fly the giant bird.
An Airbus spokesman told The Straits Times that the A380 will taxi around the airport and will dock at Gate F31 but extensive airport compatibility tests will be done only when the plane returns early next year.
'There will be ample opportunities for airport compatibility testing at Changi Airport next year.'
The plane will also make a third visit to the region late next year for 'route-proving' exercises, which are part of the aircraft's certification programme before it can be put to commercial use.
A CAAS spokesman confirmed that more tests will be done next year.
The double-decker jet was to have arrived here on Tuesday but was delayed by engine trouble.
It will now land just after 10am tomorrow.
Fans may be able to catch a glimpse of the aircraft from the public viewing area at Terminal 2.
The plane will leave tomorrow night as it is scheduled to be in Australia for Qantas' 85th birthday bash.
Transport Minister Yeo Cheow Tong and other special guests will be given a tour of the aircraft, which will be at Terminal 2.
The visit to Singapore is part of the aircraft's maiden test flight out of Europe.
The A380 will visit Malaysia after Australia.
SIA has ordered 10 planes, with an option to purchase another 15.
It will receive its first aircraft in November next year, six months behind schedule.
The delays have caused airlines, including SIA, to seek compensation from Airbus.
But such hiccups are not uncommon when a major aircraft like the A380 is launched, insiders say.
They point to a similar problem Boeing faced in the 1990s when it introduced the 747-400 jumbo.