BENGALURU: The Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) on Friday welcomed for the first time an Airbus A380 aircraft, the world’s largest passenger airliner and only full-length double-decker jet, belonging to Emirates Airlines.
The aircraft, with a seating capacity of over 500, landed at KIA a little after 3.30 pm. After Mumbai, the Bengaluru airport has been the only other to welcome a A380 aircraft. On March 14 this year, Singapore Airlines had landed the superjumbo aircraft at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai.
On its arrival, Emirates Airlines officials were welcomed by Bengaluru International Airport Ltd (BIAL) authorities. The flight was initially planned to land on October 30, but it was advanced. On Thursday itself, KIA had made all arrangements to receive the aircraft. The flight will also make a return trip to Dubai.
The Airbus A380 is 72.7 metres long, weighs anywhere between 510 and 575 tons, and stands 24.1 metres tall. Although Airbus has delivered its final A380 to Emirates and will no longer produce the aircraft, it is still in service by a number of airlines, with Emirates having the biggest fleet.
The A380 has 45 per cent more seating area than the Boeing 777, more legroom, and the largest screens in every class.