The biggest bet placed by Europe's aerospace industry will be officially revealed on Tuesday. The Airbus A380 - a twin-decked behemoth with seats for 555 passengers - will be rolled out in the southern French city of Toulouse, watched by the leaders of France, Germany, Spain and the UK, Airbus's government backers.

With the A380, Airbus - whose first aircraft entered service in 1974 - will finally have a complete range of models to challenge Boeing, the US giant. The new aircraft, expected to make its maiden test flight within a few weeks and due to enter service in mid-2006 with Singapore Airlines, will end the lucrative monopoly Boeing's 416-seat 747 jumbo has had in the very large aircraft market for 35 years.