The Hindu Business Line : Airbus acquisition to be discussed tomorrow

IN a move that could speed up the Rs 10,000-crore Airbus aircraft acquisition plan of Indian Airlines, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), at its meeting on Thursday, is scheduled to take up the issue of whether the project should be whetted by an empowered Group of Ministers or Committee of Secretaries.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation is expected to seek "the final clearance" for the project that has been pending since March 2002.

"We are keen that the project be cleared after one round or one sitting," official sources said.

While the Airline board cleared the proposal in March 2002, the Public Investment Board gave its nod in November last year. Sources said if a decision is taken on Thursday to appoint an e-GoM, then the issue need not be referred back to the CCEA, after the high powered body conducts its sitting with the aircraft manufacturer.

The move to set up another committee to consider the price at which Indian Airlines is acquiring 43 Airbus aircraft was mooted after some Parliamentarians raised questions as to whether the European aircraft manufacturer had quoted a lower price for a similar deal to an airline in South-East Asia.

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