A-I sets up panel for aircraft buys

Air-India, which had placed a $7.2 billion order for 68 Boeing planes, has set up an internal committee to consider new aircraft acquisitions.
The airline is looking at acquiring over 30 aircraft, including wide-bodied and smaller ones for massive expansion, according to sources.
The fresh acquisition is aimed at catering to increasing passenger growth and the need of keeping the average fleet size younger. Sources said Air-India will create a template to chart out the acquisition requirements and will hold discussions with aircraft manufacturers in the first quarter of the next financial year.
“The current average age of Air-India’s fleet is 12 years while its competitor Singapore Airlines enjoys an average age of 4-5 years. The fresh round of acquisition will enable the airline to keep the fleet young with less maintenance,” they said.
The state-run carrier, which will soon merge with Indian Airlines to form a new entity, is looking at positioning itself as one of the top ten airlines in the world.
07/03/07 P R Sanjai/Business Standard

To Read the News in full at Source, Click the Headline

Categories: Air India Mar 2007