Gulf carrier Etihad Airways' jumbo Airbus A380 will be not be accorded the traditional water canon salute when it makes its debut landing in India at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport on May 1 due to severe drought and massive water shortage in several parts of Maharashtra.
Significantly, May 1 is also celebrated as Maharashtra Day along with the International Labour Day.
"Our Airbus A380 service is set to debut in Mumbai on May 1, which also marks Maharashtra Day. Considering the severe water shortage situation in the state of Maharashtra, Etihad Airways has decided to forego the traditional water cannon salute, which is normally provided by airport authorities to mark the arrival of any first flight," Etihad Airways Vice President for Indian Subcontinent Neerja Bhatia said in a statement tonight.
Globally, when an airline starts its operations to a particular airport or flies a new aircraft, a water canon welcome is given from two fire tenders when the plane lands at the destination airport.
Etihad, which holds 24 per cent stake in private domestic carrier Jet Airways, had last November announced its plans to operate daily its double Decker A380 on the Abu Dhabi-Mumbai route from May 1.
As of now, two other international carriers -- Singapore Airlines and Emirates -- fly the Big Bird to Mumbai.
"Etihad Airways is fully committed to CSR (corporate social responsibility) practices around the world. What is happening in Maharashtra with the water crisis is disturbing and, for this reason, we felt the need to abandon plans to celebrate our inaugural flight in such a traditional manner," it said.
