The world's largest aircraft Airbus Industrie's A-380, which can cover over half a football ground under its wingspan, would fly over the Hyderabad city on Wednesday when it arrives in India for the first-ever civil aviation airshow.
The huge double-decker four-engined aircraft, that can carry 853 passengers in an all-economy configuration and 525 in three classes, would be among at least 37 planes and helicopters of various makes on display at the first civil aviation exhibition and conference, 'India Aviation 2008', starting Wednesday at the old Begumpet Airport.
Other aircraft, which would be on static or flying display, include Boeing 777, A-340-400, Canadian Regional Jet of Bombardier Citation, business jets of manufactured by various global leaders, Bell Helicopters, DragonFly, Cessnas, Indian-made Pushpak and Indian firm Hindavia's Russian-made regional aircraft IL-114.
With the US being the partner country, almost all major aviation-related companies and officials from there are scheduled to participate.
While US officials include the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA), Robert A Sturgell, CEOs and other top officials of most of the major players in the global civil aviation industry would also be present at the event organised by the Civil Aviation Ministry and FICCI.
Top honchos of the aviation industry from India and abroad would be part of the event, including Air India CMD Raghu Menon, Kingfisher chief Vijay Mallya, former US FAA Administrator Marion C Blakey, AAI chief K Ramalingam, EADS CEO Yves Guillame, GoAir MD Jeh Wadia, Air Arabia CEO Adel Ali and top-brass of various airport operators, engine, avionics and aircraft manufacturers like Boeing, Airbus, Bombardier and Bell Helicopters.
