TOULOUSE, France - French President Jacques Chirac on Thursday called the successful maiden flight of the Airbus A380 a "great moment for Europe", using the occasion to gain support for the European constitution.
Just one month before French voters cast their ballots in a May 29 referendum on the EU treaty, Chirac's lightning visit to Toulouse seemed designed to use the Airbus success as a way to rally a skeptical electorate.
With the 'no' camp is still leading in the opinion polls, the French president -- who has staked his own prestige on a 'yes' vote -- suggested that only a strong, united Europe could compete with the United States.
"This is a great moment for Europe, because this success symbolizes what Europeans can do together when they join forces, abilities, willingness and creativity in all areas," Chirac told Airbus workers at Toulouse airport.
"You personify the Europe that we want -- a united Europe, a Europe of progress, an ambitious Europe," Chirac told thousands of employees of the European aircraft maker, gathered on a runway beside the A380 prototype.
"Bravo and thank you!" Chirac said before plunging into the crowd to greet the engineers and workers -- a mix of French, British, German and Spanish nationals -- and sign autographs.
The giant A380, the largest commercial jet ever built, soared into the skies above southwestern France on Wednesday for three hours and 54 minutes, in a highly anticipated maiden flight that opened a new era in aviation history.
The mammoth long-haul airliner, which can carry between 550 and 840 passengers, is due to enter commercial service in mid-2006, debuting with Singapore Airlines.
04/28/2005 15:00 GMT