Sukhoi to supply jets to Alliance Air

Paris/Mumbai: Alliance Air, the feeder subsidiary of Indian Airlines, may fly Russian defence aerospace major Sukhoi's new civilian jet to connect regional locations in the country.
Alliance Air, which will be positioned as domestic budget carrier after the merger of Air-India and Indian Airlines, is in talks with Sukhoi for the possible acquisition of Superjet 100, a 60-90 seater civilian jet, which will be introduced shortly in the market.
Speaking at the Paris International Air Show, Anatoly A Mezhevov, regional sales director, Sukhoi Civil Aircraft, confirmed that the company was in talks with Indian Airlines for acquiring Sukhoi civilian jets for Alliance Air.
Post merger of Air-India and Indian Airlines, the new entity has contacted us for future talks for Superjet 100. The talks are in the advanced stage with the national carrier, he told Business Standard.
When contacted, senior Indian Airlines officials declined comment, adding, We are not aware of such development.
However, the airline sources added that Alliance Air would be positioned as a regional budget carrier under Air-India Express brand.
Sources said Sukhoi was offering a 25 per cent discount over the prices of entrenched small-jet competitors such as ATR, Bombardier and Embraer, and adding free pilot training and spares support as sweetener.
21/06/07 Bijoy Kumar Y & P R Sanjai/Business Standard

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Categories: Foreign Jun 2007, Indian Jun 2007, New Jun 2007