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Boeing makes a pitch for AI orders
New Delhi, Aug 26: Major aircraft-maker Boeing today heightened its pitch for Air India`s plans to acquire 17 long-haul and 18 short-haul planes, claiming its 777-200 ERS and 737-800s were best suited for the Indian carrier.
Replying to questions, he told reporters that Boeing had offered to buy back five 15-year old b-747 aircraft of AI if the airline decided to acquire a Boeing fleet.
He said that a similar buy-back offer had also been made in 1985-86 to Indian Airlines' subsidiary alliance air for its three B 737-200 aircraft on the same condition.
On the B-777 200 ERS (extended range), he said though this aircraft was 19 million dollars more expensive than its competitor - airbus-340 300, "AI will have 31 additional seats and four tonnes of extra cargo more than its rival".
He claimed the Boeing aircraft had a better revenue-generating capacity than the airbus plane as it burnt less fuel, had lower maintenance cost, was twin-engined compared with four of the airbus and had faster climb ability.
These factors, Keskar claimed, would allow AI to earn Rs 250 crore more per year on a fleet of 17 Boeing 777-200 ERS compared with an a-340 300 fleet.
Bureau Report