The Central government on Monday allowed airlines to operate the spacious Airbus A-380 from four metropolitan cities, including Delhi and Bangalore, lifting a five-year-old ban imposed fearing that foreign airlines would take away passenger-load from Indian carriers.

Besides Delhi and Bangalore, the government has also allowed the operation of these aircraft from Hyderabad and Mumbai.

All these airports would have to get certification from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and make adequate preparation.

No Indian airline has booked for the double-decker wide-body long-haul jets, which can carry around 850 passengers.

The decision will bring cheer to carriers like Singapore Airlines, Emirates and Lufthansa, which are among the 10 operators who already have the A-380 in their stable. Nine of the 10 international airlines that fly the A-380s have scheduled flights into India.

“The decision (by Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh) has been taken after due consultations with the DGCA, Air India and Airports Authority of India,” said an official statement.

The ministry had last month cleared the proposal to allow A-380s in India pending final approval from Singh.

The government had imposed a ban on A-380s in 2008, and foreign airlines have been lobbying for its removal.