SINGAPORE, Sept 13, 2007 (AFP) - Bidders have paid almost S$2 million (US$1.32 million) for seats on the first commercial flight of the super jumbo Airbus A380 plane, Singapore Airlines (SIA) said Thursday.

Only 24 seats are left for both legs of the A380's first commercial flight on October 25 when it departs Singapore for Sydney, the carrier said in a statement.

Bidding for the remaining seats closes at the end of this week, it said.

The proceeds raised from the auction, which took place on the eBay online marketplace, will go towards charity organisations.

SIA is set to be the first commercial airline to fly the double-decker A380, the world's biggest passenger plane, when it launches the flight on October 25.

The aircraft will return to Singapore the day after its inaugural flight.

"The auction has provided many aviation enthusiasts around the world with the opportunity to bid to be a part of history," said SIA chief executive Chew Choon Seng.

"Now we look forward to the delivery of this magnificent aircraft and introducing it into commercial service," he said.

A record 153,000 dollars was paid for the "Singapore Airlines Suites" package for the Singapore-Sydney leg, the carrier said.

SIA has said previously the proceeds will be divided equally between a Singapore charity, two childrens' hospitals in Sydney and the international relief agency Medecins Sans Frontieres.

SIA has committed to buy 19 A380s despite a series of delays that pushed back delivery from early last year.