New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh may have said that Mumbai "airport... is now ready to handle A-380 type aircraft operations" while inaugurating terminal 2 there on Friday, but Indian flyers will have to wait for an indefinite period to actually fly the world's largest commercial airliner from India. The aviation ministry is yet to give the nod to this plane to fly here due to "unresolved technical issues" despite the fact that Delhi's T3 has been A-380 compliant since mid-2010. Also foreign airlines that were once keen to operate this aircraft to India are seeking more flying rights to so, a contentious issue after UPA's controversial largesse to Gulf carriers at the expense of desi airlines.
"We are yet to ascertain views of agencies like security forces and ground handling and also see if the infrastructure is there for this plane. Also some clarity will be needed on bilateral (air service agreements India has with individual countries) as they currently specify number of flights a week allowed in both directions. All this will take some time," aviation minister Ajit Singh said.
12/01/14 Saurabh Sinha/Times of India
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"We are yet to ascertain views of agencies like security forces and ground handling and also see if the infrastructure is there for this plane. Also some clarity will be needed on bilateral (air service agreements India has with individual countries) as they currently specify number of flights a week allowed in both directions. All this will take some time," aviation minister Ajit Singh said.
12/01/14 Saurabh Sinha/Times of India
