World's largest aircraft participates in Hyderabad airshow

Hyderabad, Oct 16 (UNI) Airbus A380, the world's largest and most modern aircraft, landed at Begumpet airport today to take part in the India Aviation 2008, the first-ever civilian airshow.

The aircraft, as big as 3/4th of a football field, landed here around noon with 'Greener, Cleaner, Quieter and Smarter' written across its body. It will be on static display for a day.

The aircraft can seat 525 passengers, and consumes less than three litres of fuel per passenger per 100 kilometres.

''The A380 can also take off and land at airports of all sizes and on shorter runways than previous generation large aircraft, which makes it an ideal aircraft for Indian carriers,'' said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers.

This is the second time that A380 has landed in India, the first being in May 2007 when development aircraft MSN007 visited Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi and Sahara International Airport in Mumbai.

It is a fully instrumented aircraft for conducting flights tests and does not have a full cabin for passengers.

Jean-Michel Roy, Test Pilot, who captained the A380 from Toulouse to Hyderabad said: ''I am very proud to bring this iconic aircraft to Hyderabad this time and support the India Aviation 2008 air show.

Tomorrow we will also be making a visit to the new Hyderabad International airport. This major project is a clear sign of Indian aviation development and will see, I am sure, many A380s landing in India in the future.'' UNI YJ MP RK1650 .