Mallya to buy an A380 for private use?

Airbus revealed earlier this year that they have received an order from a private client for one of their new A380s. The plane, worth £150m, is the largest passenger aircraft in the world, capable when used commercially of carrying up to 800 economy-class passengers. Its size makes it unable to land at most airports. Various designs for private use, which would add up to £200m to the price, have been proposed, including plans for two en-suite bedrooms (one with its own hot tub), two dining rooms, an office, a library, a gym with its own sauna, and a stateroom, as well as quarters for eight crew members.
Although Airbus refused to reveal the identity of their client beyond stating that he was not European or American, Le Figaro this month reported the buyer to be Roman Abramovich, the Russian billionaire who owns Chelsea Football Club. He has denied having placed an order for the plane. Other men regarded as possible buyers include the jetsetting Indian billionaire Vijay Mallya, who owns the manufacturers of Kingfisher beer as well as Kingfisher Airlines, which has placed an order for five of the planes for commercial use. Other rumours suggesting that it may be the head of a Middle Eastern state have focused their speculation particularly on the Sultan of Brunei, once the richest man in the world.
13/09/07 Oliver Warren/Times Online, UK

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Categories: Foreign Sep 2007, Kingfisher Sep 2007, New Sep 2007