Lufthansa A-380 in Malta

The double-decker aircraft, operated by Lufthansa, was on a brief stopover in Malta during its training flight. The plane performed a touch and go landing and took off again, before landing again for a 90-minute stop.

It made another touch and go on its departure and wagged its wings twice in a final salute.

Seating 526 passengers in Lufthansa’s three-class configuration, the A380 can carry about 60 per cent more passengers than the Boeing 747-400 now in service. It can take 35 million ping pong balls. Four million parts and 500 kilometres of electric wiring were used in the building of the aircraft.

The aircraft, which is just over 24 metres high and 73 metres long with a wingspan of just under 80 metres, takes on every flight 300 trolleys and boxes and 40,000 catering related items.