Page 32 - AAA NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2013 Online Magazine

INDIA SECTION

INDIA MARKET

Boeing bullish on 737
in India
Boeing expects at least three Indian
carriers to buy its latest 737 aircraft,
Air India MRO by 2014 which is scheduled to enter commercial
The much-delayed maintenance, have been contracted to build the MRO, operations in 2017. Boeing has 8,098
overhaul and repair facility, jointly after the commissioning of key facilities firm orders from 134 airlines and leasing
established by Air India and Boeing and equipment like water, electricity companies for the plane. “SpiceJet, Jet
in India, will be operational by mid and pressurized systems. Touted as one Airways and Air India Express are the
2014, the US aircraft maker says. “The of the most modern MRO facilities in the three target customers for the new Boeing
handover of the facility will be done by sub-continent, the facility will cater to 737 aircraft, which already have 737
the end of this quarter or the next,” says the national carrier’s aircraft, besides engines,” says Dinesh Keskar, Senior Vice-
Dinesh Keskar, SVP Boeing Commercial other airlines which are operating President (Sales, Asia Pacific and India) of
Aircraft. Boeing aircraft. “The facility, spread Boeing. The aircraft, which the company
Air India hived off its MRO unit early over 50 acres next to the Nagpur airport, claims will have more range, 14% less fuel
this year into a separate business entity, will be able to handle, the 737s, 787s consumption and 40% noise reduction, has
Air India Engineering Services and and 777s and the extra capacity can already completed its “firm configuration”
placed around 7,400 of its workforce be then used to service other airlines’ phase this year. The first aircraft would be
under it. The US$100 million MRO aircraft,” Keskar said. It would offer ready by 2015, Keskar says, adding Boeing
project in Nagpur in western state of maintenance and overhauling services feels bullish about the prospects of the
Maharashtra is part of an agreement to 300 aircraft a year. National carrier Indian market. “The forecast that Boeing
between the national carrier and Air India, however, will be able to use made about India requiring about 1,450
Boeing following an order for 737s and the facility for free as part of Boeing’s aircraft over the next 20 years stands. It
787s, which were placed by Air India in offset obligation. Also, the facility will does not change because of difficulties in
January 2006. The facility will be handed have two wide-body hangars and a the market,” Keskar said.
over by Larsen and Toubro (L&T), who GE90/GENX engine overhaul shop.

Air India issues new commence preferably from the fourth
tender for A320s quarter of the current financial year
Cash-strapped Air India has issued a ending March 31, 2014 with subsequent
fresh global tender for the lease of 19 induction in a phased manner, the official
new Airbus A320s, after the first bid says. According to the tender document,
in August failed to attract any lessors. Air India wants to take delivery of the
“As part of its effort to reduce costs first seven aircraft by next March, four
and optimize revenue, Air India intends in the next fiscal year, beginning April 1,
to procure new A320s with Sharklet 2014 and the final eight aircraft the year
fuel saving wing tip device, powered by after. Air India had issued the tender for
CFM56-5B4/3 PIP engine, on dry lease the lease of 19 CFM56-powered A320
for a lease period of maximum up to 12 Sharklet aircraft in August as part of its
years, up from the six years lease period plans to cut losses, but could not give any
it planned in August, “ said an airline reasons for the lacklustre response to
spokesman. Deliveries of aircraft should the first tender.

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