New AI chief faces challenges

New Delhi: Air India's new chairman and managing director Raghu Menon has a big challenge ahead — how to handle the indefinite delay in induction of Boeing 787 Dreamliners ordered by Air India for medium and long-haul routes. The former CMD, V Thulasidas, has prepared a note for his successor in which he mentioned that apart from finding alternate plans for these planes, Menon has another tough task ahead — addressing the thorny issue of merging AI and IA.
‘‘The delivery of 27 Dreamliners ordered by AI was to begin from this September. First, Boeing announced a delay of six months and now we haven't heard any final date when the planes' delivery would begin. AI had a number of routes in mind with this aircraft and now those plans are in a soup,'' said sources. Now, AI is seeking compensation from Boeing.
Moreover, this delay has happened at a time when some of AI's existing aircraft have to be returned to their owners when lease expires and others have to be phased out. The 27 Dreamliners were to join AI over a period of September 2008 and October 2011.
While NACIL has to look for planes fast, it also has to finalise its post-2011 requirement of aircraft in the next few months.
On the merger front, the new CMD has been informed both by his predecessor and the ministry that a lot needs to be done.
04/04/08 Saurabh Sinha/Times of India

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Categories: NACIL Apr 2008