By IANS,
New Delhi : Air France will auction off 380 seats on each of its two inaugural flights on Airbus A380 – the world’s biggest passenger aircraft – and the proceeds will be used to fund humanitarian projects in India, South Africa and France, the airline said Friday.
Airbus A380 has a capacity to carry up to 850 passengers.
The airline’s first Airbus A380 will fly from Paris to New York Nov 20 and the auction of seats will be done through Internet in October, it said in a statement.
“The auction will be for the two inaugural Airbus A380 flights, operating from Paris to New York on November 20 and New York to Paris on November 21,” it said.
“The profits thus earned will be used to fund three humanitarian projects supported by the Air France Corporate Foundation, in India, South Africa and France,” the statement added.
In India, the project, “Association Plan France-India”, will benefit 500 child workers, specifically help children working in dhabas (small tea bars) and street ragpickers, the airline said.
“The first Air France Airbus A380 flight should not simply symbolise a technological achievement at the service of our customers, but also an operation in support of those in distress,” said Pierre-Henri Gourgeon, chief executive of Air France.