China Southern  has been flying their first A380s on domestic routes within China. This means they have had the world’s largest number of passengers on a single domestic flight surely?

I have been advised they will start flying their A380 in March from Beijing to Hong Kong. The timetable says: Flight:  CZ310  will leave Beijing (PEK) at 0850 and arrive at 1220 into Hong Kong (HKG). It then returns as CZ 309 departing at 1440 and arriving 1750 back to Beijing.

I can’t wait to fly it – I have been on the other six airline’s flying 380s; Air France, Emirates, Korean Air, Lufthansa, Qantas, Singapore and am eager to compare. I have yet to work a Hong Kong or China trip into my schedule.

In the meantime,  Airbus Chief Executive Tom Enders said he has ordered an internal investigation into the A380 wing cracks situation. Apparently the cracks are affecting  an average of five out of 2,000 aluminum alloy brackets per wing. Enders said at the Singapore air show recently:  We made a mistake here and we are repairing it as quickly as possible,” and “This plane is absolutely safe to fly.”

Airbus is still planning to deliver 30 A380s in 2012:

• Air France (their 7th and 8th Airbus 380s)
• China Southern (3rd and 4th for that carrier)
• Emirates (ten more planes taking them to 31 A380s)
• Lufthansa (9th and 10th for the German flag carrier)
• Malaysia Airlines (their 1st in June, 2012 followed by 3 more) – they will be the eighth A380 carrier
• Singapore (16th, 17th 18t and 19th)
• Thai Airways (their 1st in October, 2012 followed by 2 more)- they will be the ninth A380 carrier