New Delhi, May 6:

Airbus Industries’ A380, touted as the world’s largest commercial airplane, landed in India for the first time at the Indira Gandhi International Airport here around 1 pm today as the private Kin-gfisher Airlines prepares to induct them into its fleet.

The aircraft, which was originally scheduled to arrive tomorrow, was immediately taken to the Haj terminal where the celebrations to mark the second anniversary of Kingfisher Airlines will take place. Vijay Mallaya-owned Kingfisher has placed an order for five A380s with an option to buy five more at a later date, and the first of these aircraft will be inducted into its fleet in 2010-11, officials said.

“Kingfisher Airlines completes two immensely successful years of operations on May 9, and the visit of A380 to coincide with Kingfisher’s anniversary celebrations marks a major milestone for the airline and for Indian aviation,” a statement issued by the airline said.

The celebrations will be led by Mallaya, chairman of the liquor-to-airline major UB group, and will include John Leahy, chief operating officer for Airbus, who flew the A380 from the group’s headquarters at Toulouse in France.