Maharashtra Drought: Airbus A-380 won't get water cannon salute at Mumbai airport

In order to avoid water wastage in drought-hit Maharashtra, Mumbai airport authorities have decided to not carry out a water canon salute for the Airbus A-380, a globally-followed practice for welcoming a new flight.

The Airbus A-380 by Etihad Airways will start flying to Mumbai from May 1 onwards. According to an English daily, the decision was taken as top officials felt any wastage of water in the state would not be taken kindly. However, the airport management is expected to come up with another way to welcome the aircraft.

World over, when a prestigious new aircraft is deployed on a route or when an airline starts a new operation, a water canon welcome is given from two fire tenders when the aircraft lands at the destination airport. 

While Emirates and Singapore Airlines (SIA) already operate the double-decker aircraft to Mumbai, Etihad is the third international airline to join the list. Once this route is operational, Mumbai would become the biggest operator of the A-380 in India.

Incidentally, the Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered IPL matches that were to be played in Maharashtra to be shifted outside the state from May 1, due to the serious drought situation. 

In other incidents, R-City mall in Mumbai had to cancel their bike washing event recently, after they faced a severe backlash on social media. Other politicians have been criticised for water being wasted on watering helicopter landing sites.