REUTERSSat Feb 4, 8:10 PM ET
IQALUIT (AP) - The world's largest passenger jet is scheduled to make its first trip to North America on Monday where it will undergo cold-weather testing in Nunavut.
The Airbus A380 is scheduled to fly from France to the Nunavut capital Iqaluit, where officials were busy making preparations Saturday.
"We're pretty honoured to be hosting the first arrival of the newest plane of the 21st century here at Iqaluit," said John Graham, who manages the airport.
The 273-tonne jumbo jet, with a wingspan of 80 metres and a seating capacity of 555, is expected to go into service late this year.
Until then, it will have full functionality tests under extreme weather conditions of up to -40 degrees Celsius. It has already had high-altitude tests in Colombia this year and hot weather tests are due to begin in the summer.
In recent days, the temperature in Iqaluit has been around -18 degrees but for the test to be conducted, the temperature should be at least -25 degrees.
"With the wind chill, it's forecast to be that way Monday, so we kind of got our fingers crossed," Graham said.
About 50 engineers will arrive with the A380. Tests will include how the engines work in freezing conditions and how the cabin holds up.
Graham was part of a delegation that went to the Paris Air Show last summer to pitch the airport to aircraft manufacturers. Airbus and other companies such as Boeing Co. have used the site before because of its 2,745-metre runway and cold temperatures.
The Airbus A380 - with a list price of $325 million Cdn - began test flights in April. There have been at least 159 orders already for the superjumbos, capable of 14,000-kilometre, 18-hour flights.
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