Tuesday, January 18 2005 19:03 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Toulouse: Airbus today (Jan 18, 2005) officially lifted the curtain on its A380 super jumbo -- the world's biggest passenger aircraft that will eclipse Boeing's 747 when it takes to the skies next year.

The European company unveiled the aircraft, which can take up to 840 passengers, at a glitzy ceremony at its headquarters in Toulouse, southwest France.

French President Jacques Chirac, British Prime Minister Tony Blair, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero attended the presentation, along with 5,000 guests from the world's aviation sector and media.

"This is a milestone day for Airbus," Airbus chief Noel Forgeard told the packed hall.