Airbus A380 at Cardiff Airport

The world's largest commercial airliner, the Airbus A380, landed at Cardiff Airport today to test how the site could cope with a diversion and the potential for long-haul flights.

Earlier this year, the Welsh Government bought it with the hope of attracting more operators - and this was a big moment for the airport.

The Airbus A380 - the largest commercial passenger plane ever built - flew into Cardiff Airport at 9am this morning.

The world's largest commercial airliner, the A380, landed at Cardiff Airport to test how it could cope with a plane of this size in the event of a diversion.

This morning's flight also helped build up the pilots' training hours, and allows British Airways staff in Cardiff to see the plane, as it prepares for long-haul operations.

There are no plans for the double-decker to operate commercial flights from Cardiff.

British Airways employs more than 800 people at its base at Cardiff airport, who carry out maintenance on the airline's fleet of Boeing 777 and 747 aircraft.

The largest commercial aircraft ever built will fly into Cardiff Airport today. The Airbus A380 is due to land at 9am this morning.

It will be the first time the plane has flown into Cardiff and will test the airport's ability to handle and aircraft its size in case one is diverted to it in future.

British Airways employs more than 800 people at its maintenance base (BAMC) at Cardiff airport.