Mumbai, Aug 05: Air-India and Indian Airlines will
continue to take aircraft through the leasing route till its
fleet acquisition comes through and have decided to take nine
more planes by December.
While A-I is expecting two 747-400s (including one for
VVIP flights) and two a310s by October to expand operations to
the Gulf, US and introduce flights to Shanghai, IA will get
five A310 by December to expand its operations.
A-I board is yet to take a decision on fleet acquisition
even as IA was waiting for a meeting of the public investment
board for a nod for purchase of 41 airbus aircraft.
"We are yet to decide the date for the A-I board
meeting", IA chairman and managing director Sunil Arora, who
took over on August two as A-I managing director, told
newspersons here today.
A-I commercial director said two flights to Bangkok would
be extended to Shanghai early December while two more 747
services would be added to Newark by October, making it a
daily service. Besides, he said three services would be
reintroduced to Chicago via Frankfurt instead of London.
Arora said A-I had sufficient routes in its "kitty" but
was handicapped because of capacity.
About introduction of low cost airline from Cochin, Arora
said "he was yet to discuss this with A-I officials".
Bureau Report
