KINGFISHER BECOMES FIRST INDIAN CUSTOMER FOR A330, A350 AND A380
Kingfisher Airlines has become the first Indian carrier to sign a firm contract with Airbus for the A330, the A350 and the A380 with a firm order for five A350-800s plus five A380s for intercontinental services, and five A330-200s for regional routes.
Announcing the deal, Noël Forgeard, Airbus President and CEO, said the value of the order was in excess of three billion US dollars. “India is one of the world’s most promising markets. In the five weeks since its launch, Kingfisher flights have been completely sold out. We are looking forward to a long and fruitful relationship.”
Deliveries of Kingfisher’s Airbus A330s are due to begin in the third quarter of 2007, those of the double-deck A380s in 2010, and those of the A350s in 2012.
Dr Vijay Mallya, Chairman of the UB Group, the parent company of Kingfisher Airlines, said: “It is matter of great national pride to be the first to firmly order the A380 in India.”
Kingfisher Airlines is a rapidly growing company reflecting the significant increase in air travel demand in this region. In the words of Dr Vijay Mallya, “Air traffic in India is growing at 25 per cent plus not only on domestic flights but on international routes. In five years time, it will be a no-brainer to fill an A380.”
Kingfisher’s A380s will be used on routes from Mumbai to New York. “We intend to fly the A380 in a three-class configuration with 496 seats and to provide passengers with the Kingfisher experience.”
From Airbus.com June 15, 2005