Zurich's A380 celebrations

After a period of operational testing, Zurich airport finally welcomed Singapore Airlines' first A380 service from Singapore yesterday - with an impressive fire truck salute and medals for departing passengers to mark the historic occasion.

The new A380 daily service will replace the airline's 12-times weekly flights using a B777-300ER.

Zurich is the third european airport to receieve the all clear to handle the A380 (following London Heathrow and Paris Charles De gaulle).

Zurich airport says there is strong demand for business and leisure travel from Zurich (a strong Star alliance hub in the center of Europe) and Singapore (a gateway to Southeast Asia and Australia).