New Delhi: The government is likely to replace the age-old Boeing 747s used for VVIP travel with three Boeing 777s, part of the 111-aircraft order placed by Air India in 2006. The airline hasn’t taken delivery of these three aircraft so far.
This is a shift from the government’s earlier plan to order aircraft for VVIP travel and phase out Air India’s 747s currently being used for the travel of the President, Vice-President and the Prime Minister.
The matter will be discussed in a meeting of Committee of Secretaries (CoS), headed by the Cabinet secretary, next month.
“The government had issues with a twin engine plane and wanted a four-engine plan for VVIP travel. The issue has now been sorted out and they have agreed for a two-engine plane to replace the Boeing 747s. Boeing 777s fit the bill and has been agreed upon and a decision is likely to come in the CoS meeting next month,” said a civil aviation ministry official.
28/12/12 Financial Express
