Luxembourg’s sole A400M takes flight

The first and only Airbus A400M heavy-lift tactical transport ordered by the Luxembourg Armed Forces has taken to the air for its maiden flight.

Luxembourg A400M First Flight [Airbus] #1
A400M - serial CT-01 (c/n 104) - on finals into Seville after its first flight. Airbus

The A400M – serial CT-01 (c/n 104) – departed Airbus’ final assembly line facility in Seville, Spain, at 1608hrs local time (CET) on April 13. The aircraft returned five hours later.

The aircraft will be handed over to the Luxembourg Armed Forces later this year. Once in service, CT-01 will be operated alongside the Belgian Air Component’s future A400M fleet under a binational unit – based at Melsbroek air base in Steenokkerzeel, Belgium.

Luxembourg A400M [Airbus] #1
​​​​​​Up close with ​Luxembourg's sole A400M heavy-lift tactical transport. Airbus

When the aircraft was rolled out in December last year, it sported Luxembourg Armed Forces titles, along with a Belgian Air Component 15 Wing badge.