The world's largest airplane, the A380 is coming to Delhi and Mumbai airports on May 7 and May 9. The occasion - the second anniversary celebrations of Kingfisher Airlines -the only Indian Airlines, which has so far ordered the aircraft.

The airport staff has started special inspections of the runways on which the A380 will be landing. A "follow-me" vehicle with support staff from Airbus will escort the aircraft to the parking bay. There will be a full-fledged fire and rescue staff patrolling this 525-seater giant aircraft throughout its stay in India.

An extensive watering programming has been organised by Mumbai airport before landing and departure to ensure that areas along the runway and the parking bay are damp in order to prevent any dust damage to aircraft.

Four Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines will power the airplane's India visit. These engines have now accumulated around 10,000 flying hours on four of the five test flights and completed more than 31,000 cycles in ground running and on the aircraft.

Delhi Airport executives point out that the runway and taxiway have been equipped to handle this big aircraft. Mumbai Airport executives say the A380 will land on the main runway (09/27) and will exit the runway through taxiway B4 which is the first exit after the intersection of the main runway and cross runway.

The Airbus team is underplaying the fact that the big aircraft would require anything really special, saying there are too many myths attached to the A-380.

"Any airport that can handle Boeing 747 aircraft can host the A380. But it may take more parking space considering its long wingspan," Justin Dubon, an Airbus spokesman, told Business Standard from Toulouse, France.

The wingspan of an A320 aircraft is 34.1 metres while A380 is 79.8 metre. The turnaround time of this world's largest plane is 90 minutes (with over 500 passengers).

"Ideally, the runways need more width, considering the size of the four engine jet," said Dubon.

As for aerobridges, Dubon said the existing ones will do. The upper deck will only be used in a commercial flight when you need separate exits. "Indian airports are working together with Airbus to have special aerobridges to expedite turnaround," Dubon added.

Liquor baron Vijay Mallya promoted Kingfisher Airlines is the first and the only airline from India to sign up for the Airbus A380, which will ply its international routes.

Kingfisher has ordered 10 aircraft with 5 firm orders and options for 5 more. The first aircraft is scheduled for delivery in 2010-11.