Emirates Airbus A380 touches down in Brisbane

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Plane spotters were out in force on Wednesday morning to watch the first scheduled Airbus A380 service touch down in Brisbane.

All eyes were on the sky as Emirates flight EK434 from Dubai arrived at Brisbane Airport about 6.10am.

Fire trucks were even on hand to greet the monster aircraft with a water salute.

The 73-metre long airliner, with a wingspan of 79.8 metres, dwarfed other passenger jets as it pulled into the terminal.

In fact, a purpose-built aerobridge has been built to link the Emirates lounge with the top level of the huge aircraft.

"We're thrilled to have the larger aircraft coming in here," Brisbane Airport Corporation spokesman Ben Smith said.

"In terms of our operations, in terms of passenger numbers, it's a good thing."

The Airbus A380 accommodates 494 passengers and will add up to 1848 people to Emirates' weekly capacity in and out of Brisbane.

Queensland Tourism Minister Jann Stuckey said the A380 was a "dawning of a new era" for Brisbane.

"It's a vote of confidence in Queensland as being a premier tourism destination," she said.

But, for now at least, Mr Smith said the only A380s parked at Brisbane Airport will be painted in Emirates livery.

"We're talking to airlines all the time about new opportunities, but as of yet we haven't got any confirmation of any other A380s coming in, but we do have the bays and we are looking to bring more and more on as we continue to expand the terminal," he said.