Workers at Broughton watch the Airbus A380 flying over the plant Enlarge Image

The A380 superjumbo flew over the Airbus factory at Broughton, Flintshire, where the wings are made, before heading onto Heathrow Airport.

The fly-past represents the culmination of six years' work at Broughton.

Airbus vice-president Brian Fleet described it as a "fantastic day" and a "really proud moment".

To see the finished article flying over is going to be really exciting Broughton worker Garry Jones

He added: "It's great satisfaction for the people here, and it will be a really proud moment.

"These people have been toiling on this programme now for more than five years, and to see all their hard work, the fruits of their labour...will be tremendous."

Asked if there were any pre-flight nerves, Mr Fleet replied: "No. Everything will go really well.

"We don't leave anything to chance."

The plane will undergo "compatibility" checks at Heathrow, following concerns that it is too big for airports.

The Airbus A380 flew over the Flintshire plant before heading for Heathrow. Enlarge Image

Mr Fleet said: "This is the reason for going to Heathrow. The two principal airports it will be flying from are Singapore and Heathrow, so Heathrow had better get used to seeing the A380, because it's going to be landing there all the time."

He added: "There are no problems with this aircraft landing at the world's major airports."

The A380 made its maiden voyage last year from Toulouse, powered by four Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines which were designed specially for the superjumbo.

The double-decker aircraft was designed to hold 555 passengers and, despite its size, its makers claim it produces less noise than a 747 jet.

Broughton project planner Neil Hardcastle said: "I'm really pleased to be involved. It's been a long time coming.

"There's been a lot of hard work put into the project."

He added: "As long as we get the good weather, it'll be awesome."

Fellow worker Garry Jones said: "It's the first time we'll see the complete aircraft flying over. To see the finished article flying over is going to be really exciting."

Equivalent to eight storeys high and 235ft (71m) long, the aircraft will fly in from the Berlin air show on Thursday morning.

Workers had hoped it would dip its wings as it flew past, before heading to the Airbus site in Bristol, and then on to Heathrow.

Chancellor Gordon Brown officially welcomed the plane when it touched down at Heathrow.