A380's inaugural flight to land in Delhi on May 6th

Airbus and Kingfisher Airlines have announced that the A 380, world’s biggest aircraft would arrive in Delhi on May 6, in the run up to Kingfisher’s second anniversary celebrations. Airbus is bringing A 380 to India to demonstrate its full compatibility with major airports and its many qualities that would attract passengers towards it. After being demonstrated in Delhi for two days, the aircraft will proceed to Mumbai on May 9 where it will join the anniversary celebrations of the Vijay Mallya controlled airline. It is scheduled to fly back to its base in Toulouse, France on May 10. A 380’s airport compatibility tests in India will be done in cooperation with the Airport Authority of India, Delhi and Mumbai airports and Kingfisher Airlines. Airport officials said that the A 380 is scheduled to arrive in Mumbai at 4 pm and get parked at very close to the Kingfisher anniversary celebrations venue at the Air India hanger near the 2C international terminal.

This is the same venue from where Mallya launched the airline two years ago amidst much fanfare. Kingfisher Airlines will launch a promotional campaign on the occasion. The airline in a statement said, "The visit of the Airbus A380, coinciding with our anniversary celebrations marks a major milestone for us and Indian aviation." Kingfisher plans to use the A380s on non-stop routes from India to the US, capitalising on its world beating economics, fuel efficiency, range and comfort, Airbus said in a statement. Given to its gigantic size, the A380 allows airports to absorb passenger growth while helping to keep aircraft movements down and cutting down on noise and emissions. This is perfectly suited for congested airports like Delhi and Mumbai to transport large number of passengers at one go may be in ferry service between the two lead metros.

There would no need to expand the runway as A380 takes off and lands in less distance than today's largest aircraft from rival Boeing. Airbus said this A380 is one of two flight test aircraft with full passenger cabins, which recently successfully completed worldwide airport compatibility and route proving tours under realistic operational conditions with about 500 passengers on each flight. So far the five test aircraft, including these two, have flown for over 3,400 hours with more than 2,400 take offs. Since the first airport tests with the A380 in Frankfurt in 2005, it has visited over 40 airports, and by 2011 more than 70 airports can accept it. First delivery to Singapore Airlines is scheduled for October 2007 and firm orders and commitments stand at 166 aircraft for 15 customers.

Courtesy: Hindustan Times

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