The world's newest commercial airliner, Airbus A340-600, made its debut in China Tuesday, as it flew in from Hong Kong as part of a three-continent route proving program.

The A340-600 can carry 380 passengers up to 13,900 kilometers in a typical three-class layout.

"We are proud and delighted to bring the A340-600 to China to showcase its unmatched capabilities as part of the aircraft's rigorous flight test program," said Airbus China President Guy McLeod at a welcome ceremony.

China Eastern Airlines, the first and largest Airbus operator in China, has placed a firm order of five A340-600s,the delivery of which is scheduled to start next year, according to Wan Mingwu,the airlines' vice-president.

"The five A340-600s that we plan to introduce during 2003 and 2004 will mainly go into service in long range routes to North America, Europe, Australia and other parts of the world," he said.

( People's Daily April 10, 2002)