Airbus Military said Thursday it had successfully run all of its A400M military transporter plane's engines for the first time, paving the way for its first flight next month.

"This is the first time we completely powered up the aircraft using the engine power and the first time that the aircraft has been operated completely autonomously," Fernando Alonso, head of flight operations, said in a statement.

The A400M airlifter, which has been heavily delayed by engine snags and other problems, is due to make its maiden flight in a few weeks time.