Skip to main content

Air India puts on hold leasing of 787-9 planes, says Boeing

New Delhi:-
                    Air India has put on hold plans to lease Boeing 787-9 planes amid the government's decision to divest stake in the airline, a senior official from the US aircraft maker said today.

Air India

Boeing also said it would honour commitment to Air India, which is expected to take delivery of six more planes from the aircraft maker this fiscal.


When asked about Air India's plans to induct 787-9 aircraft, Boeing Commercial Airplanes Senior Vice President ( Asia Pacific and India Sales) Dinesh Keskar said those are on hold now.

Air India has put on "hold" plans to lease Boeing 787-9s because of government's plans to sell stake in the carrier, he said here.

Earlier this year, the airline's board had given its nod to induct seven Boeing 787-9s.

Boeing 787-9 planes can accommodate up to 290 passengers.


About delivery of other Boeing planes to Air India, Keskar said those commitments would be honoured.

Earlier this month, Air India received its 24th Boeing 787 and is expecting deliveries of six more planes by the end of FY 2017. The six comprises three each of 777 and 787.


"Air India has an installed base of large number of Boeing aeroplanes and the order base that is already there will be executed. The entire order will be done by March 2018. Aeroplanes that Air India has, will need maintenance and we will support them," Keskar said.


"Whatever is our commitment is our commitment. Anybody who takes AI will do better with it. So eventually they would want to expand and grow. AI has 44 wide bodies (which will be difficult to change)," he added.

Wide bodies refer to wide-bodied aircraft.

Last month, the Cabinet gave its in-principle approval for Air India stake sale and pursuant to that, a group of ministers is looking into the final contours of such a process.





Comments

Popular posts from this blog

THE WORLD’S BEST AIRLINES 2017 REVEALED

The World’s Best Airlines 2017 Revealed Skytrax, a review website for airlines and airports, has just released its annual list of World’s Best Airlines as part of the Skytrax World Airline Awards. While a couple of familiar names have taken out the top spots, there are a few new names that have edged their way into the top 10. 1. Qatar Airways Qatar Airways has been named the best airline in the world for 2017 by the leading consumer-aviation website Skytrax. The Gulf-based carrier was presented with the honor at Tuesday’s World Airline Awards at the 2017 Paris Air Show. 2. Singapore Airlines Singapore Airlines, a perennial favourite in the awards was ranked No. 2 in the world, also receiving awards as the Best Airline in Asia, the World’s Best Business Class seat and for having the Best Premium Economy Onboard Catering.  3. ANA All Nippon Airways ANA is the largest airline in Japan by revenues and passenger numbers. Founded i...

Kishangarh Airport to be commissioned by August, says AAI

New Delhi/Rajasthan:-                                        In yet another achievement for the Airports Authority of India  (AAI), the Kishangarh   airport  in Rajasthan  is likely to be operational by next month. Kishangarh Airport AAI officials believe the new airport will cater to tourists who visit Ajmer on regular basis. Sudhir Raheja, Member (Planning) of the AAI, said, "Hostile to smile was the motto we were working on. Eventually, we won the trust of the people and were helped by the people and state government, and today, this airport is ready. Licensing work is underway and I expect that airport will be commissioned in August. A.K.Pathak, Executive Director of the AAI, said, Kishangarh Airport is one of the very important airports in the Rajasthan region. Ultimately", Kishangarh Airport will feed our Ajmer Sharif as this carries religious value...

Infra, skilled manpower needed to sustain aviation sector growth: Jayant Sinha

New Delhi:-                      India needs infrastructure and trained manpower to sustain the growth of its civil aviation sector, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha said on Tuesday.   "Land for airports development" and skilled manpower are required to sustain the growth being witnessed by the sector, he said at an event here to launch skill development initiative for aircraft maintenance engineers (AMEs).  The initiative comes after a report submitted to the Civil Aviation ministry highlighted that 72,900 technicians and AMEs will be required by the industry by 2035.  However, aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation's data showed that only 3,644 basic licenses and only 159 type rated AME licenses were issued in the last five years.  On an average, eight AMEs are required for maintenance of an aircraft. This figure assumes significance in the light mega  aircraf...