The Hindu Business Line : A-I plans non-stop long-haul services

The Civil Aviation Minister, Mr Praful Patel, and the Chairman & MD, Air-India, Mr V. Thulasidas, at the birth centenary celebrations of J.R.D. Tata, held at the old airport complex in Mumbai on Thursday. — Paul Noronha

Mumbai , July 29

AS part of its efforts to face up to the challenges of an increasingly competitive environment, Air-India plans to expand its fleet and operate daily, non-stop flights to the US using ultra-long-haul aircraft, according to Mr V. Thulasidas, Chairman and Managing Director.

According to him, in line with the new requirements, the airline is working on a proposal for taking on lease 20 aircraft, including ultra long-haul carriers.

This would take the total fleet strength to between 60 and 70 aircraft in the next two years from the present 30. He was speaking at a function organised to commemorate the birth centenary of J.R.D. Tata, founder of the airline industry in the country.

According to the Minister for Civil Aviation, Mr Praful Patel, under a second phase of fleet expansion at Indian Airlines, the airline would consider taking on lease wide-bodied aircraft, which would replace its A300 carriers that were being phased out.

Mr Patel said the proposals for both the carriers would be in addition to the earlier proposals for 28 aircraft (10 A340s and 18 Boeing 737-800s) from A-I and 43 Airbus from IA, which were pending before the Government.

According to Mr Thulasidas, the proposed low-cost service, A-I Express, would be deployed on the Gulf and South-East Asian sectors.