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7/19/12

Airbus to build A390, a seven story airliner

With production and delivery of its first 555 passenger, double-deck commercial airliner underway, Airbus announced that it has initiated preliminary studies for the design and manufacture a 2600 passenger airplane.

The aircraft on the drawing board will have ten decks—seven for passengers, three for cargo and baggage. A prototype of the new aircraft, based on the company's Super Transporter design, will be called the "Airbus A390."

The plane is targeted for international service of flights of over 9,000 nautical miles (about 16,600 kilometers). The A390 will be powered by six Rolls-Royce turbofan engines developing thrusts of over 340,000lb each.

According to a company spokesman, Jean-Claude Randele, "The break-even point for operating the airplane will be at a passenger load of about 1760 passengers." Mr. Randele also noted, "Flights in 9,000 miles-plus range are expected to take 20 hours or longer so the A390 will include lots of amenities to help the passengers pass the time."

Read more: Airbus to build A390, a seven story airliner

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