Lufthansa is finally gearing up to launch its Airbus A380 from Frankfurt to Mumbai next year, after the expansion of Terminal 2 at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (CSIA) has been completed.
The German flag carrier previously announced plans to deploy the superjumbo to the Indian city from October this year (see here), but this was derailed after scheduling clashes (see here).
Only four spots are currently available at CSIA's single A380-capable contact gate. Emirates and Singapore Airlines were the first to deploy the A380 to Mumbai and nabbed the prime 0000 and 0200 slot, leaving Lufthansa with the choice of 1600 or 2200.
According to popular aviation forum Flyertalk, neither of these slots would have worked for the German carrier; its Frankfurt hub would have ceased operations by the time a 2200 departure had arrived, and the 1600 spot would have meant most passengers would miss onward connections.
As a result, Lufthansa made the decision to delay the superjumbo launch until more suitable options were available. The expansion of Terminal 2, due to be completed next year, presents such an opportunity and the German carrier has tentative plans to begin superjumbo operations in July or August.
For more information, visit lufthansa.com
Clement Huang
