The Hindu Business Line : IA board okays induction of 9 wide-bodied aircraft

THE board of Indian Airlines on Wednesday approved the induction of nine wide-bodied aircraft, which includes replacement for the existing three wide-bodied Airbus A-300 aircraft.

The technical committee of the airline has recommended that one type of aircraft each from the Boeing and Airbus family may be considered for dry leasing by the airline through the global tender route. The aircraft are to be used for upgrading services on existing international operations of the airline as well as for starting operations on new routes to destinations in South East Asia and West Asia. The airline will be approaching the Government for necessary approvals to expand services on the international sectors.

Ministry sources indicated that a decision on which wide-bodied aircraft IA should acquire is expected to figure in the next board meeting, which is scheduled to be convened within the next three weeks.

Sources added that the technical committee report on which wide-bodied aircraft would be best suited to meet the airline's requirement is to be ready well in time for being taken up by the board at its next meeting.

Explaining the reason for asking IA to revisit its fleet acquisition plans, official sources had pointed out that fleet acquisition plan was based on what the airline's requirement were in 1998-99, when it had at least 10 wide-bodied Airbus A-300 aircraft in operation.

Since then, not only have almost all the A-300 aircraft in the airline's fleet been phased out, the urgent need for finding replacements for Alliance Air, the wholly owned subsidiary, has arisen.

Sources said that the need for a relook at the fleet acquisition proposal has also arisen as complaints have been received from various quarters about the lack of both cargo space and availability of passenger seats on several routes.

The board also approved the appointment of two new Deputy Managing Directors, Ms Sushma Chawla and Mr Manet Paes, for the airline.