LONDON, Jan 18 (AFP) - Creation of the new Airbus A380, the world's largest passenger plane unveiled Tuesday, has helped to secure 21,000 British jobs and will eventually support a further 41,000, the government said.
A total of 400 British manufacturing firms were set to "reap the rewards" for their part in helping deliver the plane, the Department for Trade and Industry (DTI) said in a statement.
"The world's largest civil aviation project has helped create and secure jobs for some 21,000 highly skilled UK workers and Airbus activity indirectly will support a further 41,000 British jobs," it added.
Airbus unveiled the world's biggest passenger jet Tuesday at a ceremony in Toulouse, southern France, where the leaders of France, Britain, Germany and Spain hailed Europe's victory over the United States as the new king of the commercial skies.
The huge A380 superjumbo, which can carry up to 840 people on its two full decks, supersedes the ageing 747 by US rival Boeing as the biggest civilian aircraft ever made.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair, speaking in Toulouse, said the plane was "the culmination of many years of hard work" and congratulated the workers across Europe who made it happen.
Back in London, Trade and Industry Secretary Patricia Hewitt said the A380 was "a British and European manufacturing triumph".
She added: "Behind this success are 400 great British firms, their workers who are set to reap the rewards for their part in delivering the world's biggest civil aircraft."
Among British companies involved in the construction of the Airbus A380 are Rolls-Royce, whose Trent 900 engines are being used to power the planes.
Another British firm, Dunlop Aerospace, has helped to develop the wheels and the brake systems.
The first Airbus A380 test flight was planned for March, with the plane set to enter commercial service a year later.
01/18/2005 16:32 GMT - AFP