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- Order includes 777s, 787s and 737s for fleet renewal and expansion
- Air India is the first Southeast Asian airline to order the 787
Dreamliner
- Boeing commits to investing in maintenance, repair and overhaul base,
and training facility in India
MUMBAI, India, Jan. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- At a signing ceremony
held today at Air Indias headquarters, Boeing (NYSE: BA) Commercial Airplanes
President and CEO Alan Mulally and Air India Chairman and Managing Director V.
Thulasidas formally announced an order agreement for 68 airplanes. The order,
placed with Boeing in December 2005, is valued at more than $11 billion at
list prices and deliveries are scheduled to begin in November 2006.
Air Indias order consists of 23 777s, including eight 777-200LR (Longer
Range) Worldliners and 15 777-300ERs (Extended Range), and 27 787-8
Dreamliners. Air India Express, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Air India, will
receive 18 Next-Generation 737-800s.
"Boeings commitment to the Indian aviation industry dates back more than
60 years," Mulally said. "Air India is a valued and long-time partner, and we
look forward to working closely with this great airline as it expands its
operations with its all-Boeing fleet and brings its unique offerings to the
world."
Air India currently operates a fleet of 11 747-400s, two 747-400 Combis,
two 747-200s, two 747-300 Combis, three 777-200ERs and 21 Airbus 310-300s. The
airline will use this order to support both fleet renewal and expansion plans.
The 777s will replace the airlines current fleet of 747-200 airplanes while
the 787-8 Dreamliner will replace its aging A310 fleet.
"The positive economics of the 777-200LR, 777-300ER and 787 Dreamliner
will offer Air India operational cost savings and the flexibility to serve
new, ultra-long-range nonstop routes that our passengers demand, such as
Delhi-New York and Mumbai-San Francisco," said Thulasidas. "The combination of
the 777 and 787, matched with the reliability and low operating costs of the
737s, will provide a competitive advantage for Air India and Air India
Express.
"Air India will ensure that these new aircraft have the latest passenger
amenities on board so that, with the induction of these aircraft, Air India
can emerge as one of the leading global carriers," Thulasidas added.
Additionally, Boeing has announced that it has committed to investing in a
regional maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) base, and a pilot training
facility in India. Details of this effort are to be finalized over the coming
months.
"We are committed to our customers success," said Dinesh Keskar, vice
president of Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "Our airline partners are
looking for solutions, and Boeing has the most efficient airplanes and the
broadest range of support products and services to help our customers maximize
their fleets operational efficiency."
Additional 777, 787 and 737 information
The 777-200LR and the 777-300ER are fuel efficient, long-range airplanes
that offer airlines additional flexibility to serve nonstop routes that
passengers demand. Both jetliners burn approximately 24 percent less fuel per
passenger, fly farther and carry more passengers and cargo than competing
airplanes. The 777-200LR is the worlds longest-range commercial jetliner and
is capable of connecting any two cities around the globe. The 777-200LR will
enable long-range nonstop flights between India and the United States.
The 787 will burn 20 percent less fuel and have 30 percent lower
maintenance costs than similar-sized airplanes. In addition to the economic
benefits and better range capabilities than its competitor, the 787 will
present passengers with innovations including a new interior environment with
higher humidity, wider seats and aisles, larger windows, and other
conveniences.
Known for its reliability, fuel efficiency and economical performance, the
737-800 has been selected by leading carriers throughout the world. The
737-800 with Blended Winglets is 1,500 pounds lighter, can fly 260 nautical
miles farther, fly 1,100 feet higher and climb to 35,000 feet 3.2 minutes
faster while carrying 12 more passengers than the competing A320.
