The Hindu : Business : Airbus in talks with Air India

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Wednesday, Oct 31, 2007
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Airbus in talks with Air India

Special Correspondent

To sell superjumbo A-380

Kingfisher has placed orders for A-380s
100 aircraft sold to seven Indian customers

NEW DELHI: European aircraft manufacturer Airbus Industrie on Tuesday disclosed that it was in talks with Air India for the sale of about a dozen superjumbo A-380 planes.

The superjumbo A-380 successfully undertook its maiden commercial flight from Singapore to Sydney last week. After much delay, the first A-380, the world’s largest passenger jet, was delivered to Singapore Airlines in mid-October.

Looking for a greater presence in the growing global civil aviation market, Airbus Industrie’s top brass, including Chief Operating Officer John Leahy and Airbus (India) President Kiran Rao and Airbus Chief Executive Officer Tom Enders, said Airbus hoped to expand its relationship with India, which they termed as the ‘fastest growing civil aviation market.’

Mr. Leahy told reporters that Airbus was holding talks with Air India for sale of about 10 to 12 A-380 aircraft. So far, only Vijay Mallya owned-Kingfisher among Indian carriers had placed orders for purchase of A-380s, delivery of which would begin from 2010-11. “If orders are placed within the next couple of months, Airbus will be able to start delivery of aircraft by 2011-12,” Mr. Leahy said.

The long range aircraft can enable an airline to fly to Delhi-Los Angles or to Delhi-New York non-stop. The Airbus COO said that he hoped to see the A-380 in Indian skies in the near future.

Mr. Rao, while emphasising on the growth of the Indian civil aviation market, said the company had so far sold more than 100 aircraft this year among its seven Indian customers.

Airbus has also extended cooperation in the information technology sector, set up a training service institute in Bangalore and entered into a partnership with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), which builds 50 per cent of doors for Airbus A-320 planes.

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