Airbus' Super jumbo to fly to India in May

The Airbus A-380 visit would mark the second anniversary celebrations of the premier domestic carrier Kingfisher Airlines, which is the first and so far, the only Indian company to have ordered this full double-decker aircraft from Airbus Industry.

The four-engined aircraft, which can seat 555 people in standard three-class configuration or 853 passengers in full economy class configuration, would be visiting Delhi and Mumbai for three days and carry select groups of passengers on trial flights over the two cities, marking Kingfisher's promotional campaigns.

Special permission has been sought by the airline and the aircraft manufacturer Airbus Industry from the Indian authorities to bring the plane to India and operate it here.

Airport sources in India said the runways at the airports at Delhi and Mumbai could successfully handle the aircraft's landing and take off.

However, the only problem would be to find a parking place for it at these airports as the massive aircraft would require a space equivalent to that occupied by three mid-sized Airbus A-320s or three Boeing-737s.

Under the modernization plan of these two airports, high- level terminal buildings fitted with aero-bridges would be constructed to enable the aircraft park itself and the large number of passengers to board or exit. - DDNews India