New Delhi, Oct 06: Air India board today approved the dry-leasing of four wide-bodied aircraft which would help the international carrier launch its services to Shanghai, double its capacity to the US and increase frequencies to Europe by December this year. The board, at its meeting here, approved dry-leasing of two Boeing 747-400s and two airbus-310s, Air India officials told, adding these were likely to be inducted into its fleet by December one.
The induction of these planes would increase Air India's fleet size to 33, which would enable it to launch its services to Shanghai via Bangkok from December 11.
It would also enable Air India to start three more frequencies to Chicago from December four, to operate via Frankfurt. At present, the airline operates three services to Chicago through London.
The total frequencies to the US would increase to 20 compared with ten in 2002, the officials said.
While A-310s would be used on the Shanghai route, the Chicago sector would be operated by B 747-400s, they said.
Of the 33 aircraft fleet, AI would have 14 on dry-lease including the four to be inducted in December. With the latest induction, the fleet would comprise nine 747-400s (including three on dry-lease), two 747-300s, two 747-200s and 19 A-310s (including 11 on dry-lease). Bureau Report