The Hindu Business Line : AI evaluation totally fair: Boeing

THE evaluation done by Air India before deciding to purchase Boeing aircraft for its fleet expansion was "totally fair", according to Dr Dinesh A. Keskar, Senior Vice-President (Sales), Boeing Company.

The aircraft to be delivered to Air India — 787-8, 777-200 LR and 777-300 ER — have advantages such as fuel-efficiency and low maintenance cost, apart from a host of new features, he told newspersons here.

Declining to comment specifically on the allegations levelled by Airbus Industrie regarding the evaluation of Air India, Dr Keskar said Boeing offered a "complete and comprehensive package" to Air India to make it a premium airline in the world.

Air India is planning to purchase, subject to Government approval, 50 aircraft from Boeing at a cost of Rs 30,000 crore. The aircraft will be made of composites, instead of the usual aluminium, which will help save fuel to a great extent.

Dr Keskar said that 787-8 aircraft, with 27 of them in Air India's purchase list, would help save fuel by 20 per cent. Similarly, 777-200 LR will help save two million gallons of fuel per aircraft a year, while it will be one million gallons in the case of 777-300 ER. And, considering the volatile nature of fuel prices, these aircraft would prove economical in the years ahead, he said.

Dr Keskar said that there was commitment for 237 numbers of 787-8 aircraft from 19 operators worldwide. As for the delivery schedule for Air-India, he said it would be decided after getting the Government approval for the purchase.

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