Dreamliners could be back in air by early April: AI chief

The chairman of state carrier Air India, Rohit Nandan said on Wednesday that Boeing Co is hopeful of getting its 787 Dreamliner aircraft back in service by early April.

"They said that these planes should start flying again from early April. They can't be sure but they are hopeful," he said.

All 50 Dreamliners with various airlines around the world – including six with Air India – have been grounded since mid-January following problems with its lithium-ion batteries that forced a 797 with Japan's All Nippon Airways 787 to make an emergency landing.

Air India has six Dreamliners and has ordered 21 more. The issue of the airline seeking compensation from Boeing for the jet's glitches would be taken up once the aircraft are flying again, Nandan said, according to a Reuters report.