AIR France is set to become the first European airline to use the Airbus’ A380 superjumbo on scheduled services.

The French carrier will start using its first A380 – the world’s largest passenger aircraft – on its Paris to New York route later this month.

Airbus, the world’s largest maker of commercial aircraft, handed over the double-decker jet which seats more than 500 passengers, at a ceremony in Hamburg yesterday.

But sales of the A380 have been sluggish in recent years and Airbus, which builds the wings for the aircraft at its plant at Broughton, near Chester, will deliver only 13 of the huge jets this year.

The four-engined A380 has an unmatched fuel efficiency and is said to be the quietest large aircraft flying today.

Airbus says that with a range of more than 8,000 nautical miles and seat-mile costs 20% lower than its closest competitor.

The new Air France A380 is the 20th A380 delivered by Airbus – 10 are already flying with Singapore Airlines, five with Emirates and four with Qantas.

The aircraft manufacturer has won 200 firm A380 orders from 16 customers worldwide. It plans to deliver more than 20 of the jets next year.