Govt to discuss feasibility of Airbus 380 ops

The notice of the meeting says that issues related to availability of infrastructure available at Indian airports to support Airbus 380s operations and similar issues will be discussed,” said a senior government official in the know.

Another government official in the know said that there are various other issues related to the allowing A380 operations in the country will also be discussed.

The issues relates to competition to the carriers in India with foreign carriers bringing in the ultra long-haul aircraft will also be discussed,” said the official.

Allowing carriers to operate Airbus 380s into India would be a change of stance by the government,which has till now stopped airlines from flying these planes into India. The government had not been allowing carriers to operate Airbus 380s on the ground that it will be difficult for Indian carriers to compete with airlines operating these ultra long-haul planes.

Airbus 380 is the largest plane by size and the double-deck plane has a seating capacity for over 525 passengers in a three-class configuration. Around 85 such planes operate across the world but none of the Indian carriers have ordered Airbus 380s yet.

Lufthansa,Emirates and Singapore Airlines are the three international carriers,who have shown interest in operating the jumbo aircraft into India.