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Qantas' first Airbus A380 superjumbo has touched down at Sydney Airport to rapturous applause from thousands of the airline's employees.
Hundreds of onlookers gathered along the airport perimeter to watch the jet make its historic landing at Kingsford Smith Airport.
On board the delivery flight Captain Peter Probert, whose father brought the first Boeing 747 into Australia in 1971, told passengers the flight had been a career highlight.
"It's one of the greatest experiences I've ever had in my life flying the Qantas A380 down to Sydney," he said.
Before touchdown the aircraft performed a series of circuits over some of Sydney's iconic landmarks, flying down towards the Sydney Harbour Bridge and passing over the Opera House.
The superjet left the European plane makers home town of Toulouse after a glittering ceremony in the French city on Friday night and landed in Sydney about 9am (AEST).
The aircraft was to be greeted by Qantas chief executive general manager John Brought, the media and a large group of the carrier's employees and their families.
Qantas chief executive Geoff Dixon also attended the handover ceremony in Toulouse where he said the Australian carrier was planning to boost its order for the superjet and was also in talks with Airbus about a possible order for its long-haul aircraft.
Qantas is expecting to take delivery of three A380 by the end of this year, another eight by the end of 2009 and all 20 it has on order by the end of 2013.
- AAP