newstodate.aero
May 28, 2013 (newstodate): India is fighting a losing battle over the issue of permitting operators of the Airbus A380 to fly their aircraft to and from the Indian market.
In an obsolete effort to protect its national carrier Air India, the Indian government has so far suppressed applications by Airbus A380 operators including Lufthansa, Emirates and Singapore Airlines to use aircraft larger than the Boeing 747 on Indian traffic, leaning on the existing air services agreements dating from a time when the Boeing Jumbo represented the top level aircraft.
The pressure on the Indian government may heat up further as the country's second-largest carrier Jet Airways implements its deal with Etihad Airways that is to take 24 percent of its shares.
Etihad has placed orders for a total of 10 Airbus A380, with options for a further five aircraft, and may eventually want to operate the aircraft into India as part of its cooperation with Jet Airways.
At stake is the Indian air passenger market estimated to increase from currently 15 to 50 million by 2020.
In an obsolete effort to protect its national carrier Air India, the Indian government has so far suppressed applications by Airbus A380 operators including Lufthansa, Emirates and Singapore Airlines to use aircraft larger than the Boeing 747 on Indian traffic, leaning on the existing air services agreements dating from a time when the Boeing Jumbo represented the top level aircraft.
The pressure on the Indian government may heat up further as the country's second-largest carrier Jet Airways implements its deal with Etihad Airways that is to take 24 percent of its shares.
Etihad has placed orders for a total of 10 Airbus A380, with options for a further five aircraft, and may eventually want to operate the aircraft into India as part of its cooperation with Jet Airways.
At stake is the Indian air passenger market estimated to increase from currently 15 to 50 million by 2020.