India has asked European planemaker Airbus to consider setting up an assembly line in the country, matching its recent decision to set one up in China, an Indian minister said on Wednesday.
The invitation came as Indian airline Kingfisher Airlines signed more than $7 billion in provisional new orders for Airbus including 20 single-aisle A320 planes as well as wide-body ones. Airbus agreed last year to set up an assembly line for the A320 family in China from 2009 to meet strong demand. India's aviation market is also witnessing rapid expansion.
"I would be very happy to see that," Indian Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel told reporters, asked whether Airbus should consider opening an assembly line in India. "I mentioned it to them yesterday. India is one of the largest markets in the next 10 years."
He also welcomed consolidation. "We need strong airlines. Consolidation is a world-wide phenomenon and it is good it is happening in the Indian market, which will lead to stronger airlines."
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