The Hindu Business Line : Boeing pushes case for 777-200ER

THOUGH Air-India in November decided to acquire the long-range A-340-300 from Airbus, ahead of the Boeing 777-200ER, to meet its requirement of medium-capacity long-range (MCLR) aircraft, Boeing hopes that A-I will reconsider its plans.

According to Dr Dinesh A. Keskar, Senior V-P, Sales & President, Aircraft Trading Commercial Airplanes, Boeing, Air-India should reconsider its decision to go in for the long-range A340, based on financial and commercial advantages the Boeing aircraft presented.

He told newspersons here that the Boeing 777-200 ER offered 30 additional seats per flight. Given that most of the global airlines in competition with A-I, such as Singapore Airlines, operated the Boeing craft, it made sense for A-I to operate an aircraft that was as big, if not bigger, than that operated by its rivals.

By acquiring the smaller capacity A340-300, A-I would not only be limiting its market share but also raising its unit cost, he said.

He added that the A340-300 was in the last legs of production and A-I would most likely be acquiring the last few units in manufacture.

According to him, the Boeing 777-200 ER was developed after the A340, and was, therefore, designed with enhanced capacity and fuel efficiency.

Commenting on the Government's decision to allow private domestic carriers to fly abroad, Dr Keskar said the company was excited by the proposal.

Both Jet Airways and Air Sahara were already operating Boeing aircraft, and the company was "bullish that the two would continue to operate its craft."

Dr Keskar was addressing presspersons at a function to showcase the Boeing 7E7 Dreamliner, which the aircraft maker assures will "revolutionise the way the world flies."

The aircraft, still in the development stage, was scheduled to make its first flight in 2007 and enter into commercial service in 2008.

The company would manufacture three models of the 7E7, which was designed to carry 200-250 passengers on flights up to 8,300 nautical miles.