A380's low seat mile cost could beat train travel

New Delhi, May 7 (UNI) European plane manufacturer Airbus said today airlines in India could explore the possibility of using the double-decker A380 superjumbo on dense city pairs like Delhi-Mumbai or Delhi-Bangalore.

''The Rajdhani train, for instance, takes a day-and-a-half,'' said its chief operating officer for customers division John Leahy.

The A380 with all economy seats can accommodate 850 passengers and fly on these routes in two hours. ''Air Deccan is weighing the option. If it can price an air ticket below the Rajdhani Express, the volumes can drive up and make business sense.'' The A380 burns 17 per cent less fuel per seat than today's largest aircraft -- a rate comparable to an average economical car -- and can land using less runway length than a Boeing B747-800 jumbo does.

Mr Kiran Rao, executive vice-president for Airbus' marketing and contracts division, said the A380 uses 2.9 litres of fuel per passenger over 100 km compared to six litres used by Tata Indica car.

''The gentle green giant is the future of flying. The A380 is dimensioned for future with wide economy class seats,'' said Mr Rao.

Airbus has bagged firm orders for 156 A380s so far from 14 airlines around the world. It is expecting 20 fresh orders this year, many from India as well. Airbus hopes to sell 50 A380s worth 15 billion dollars in India over the next 20 years.

Each plane costs about 300 million dollars (about Rs 1,260 crore).

UNI