Dreamliner delay forces Air India to mull leasing options
22 Jan 2008
Mumbai: With delays in the delivery of the 787 Dreamliner now confirmed by the manufacturer, Boeing, Air India is considering leasing up to 10-15 aircraft this year in order to meet the shortage.
According to V Thulasidas, chairman and managing director, National Aviation Co, ''Due to Boeing 787 delays and phasing out of older aircraft, we are looking at leasing 10 to 15 aircraft.''
The lease will help Air India upgrade its ageing fleet even as it awaits deliveries from Boeing and Airbus.
Boeing has confirmed that it was delaying shipments of the 787 Dreamliner.
Air India, along with Indian Airlines, currently operates a fleet of 140 aircraft and have another 111 aircraft on order with Boeing and Airbus.
These new deliveries will be made by 2011 as per contractual commitments.
