India may allow A380s – report
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The Indian government could soon permit the Airbus A380 to operate in its skies.
Authorities had banned foreign airlines from operating their double-decker aircraft to Indian airports, due to concerns they would take international traffic away from local carriers.
But according to a report by Malaysia’s Bernama news agency, citing an official with India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation, the country is planning to allow airlines to use their A380s as part of existing bilateral agreements. The number of seats permitted under the agreements however, is likely to remain unchanged.
“They can operate larger planes but their quota of seats under the bilateral will not be changed and this will ensure the level-playing field is not distorted,” the official was quoted saying, on condition of anonymity. “We should take pride in the fact that we have airports that can handle the Airbus 380s,” he added.
Kingfisher Airlines is the only Indian airline to have placed an order for the A380, but doubts remain as to whether the cash-strapped carrier will be able to fulfill the commitment.
