The Hindu Business Line : India requires 911 aircraft in 20 years at $86 b: Boeing

New Delhi, July 30 The US-based aircraft manufacturer Boeing estimates India would require 911 aircraft valued at $86 billion over the next 20 years. Addressing a press conference to release the Current Market Outlook, the Senior Vice-President, Sales, Dr Dinesh Keskar said that the latest estimates were an increase from the projection made last year of the country needing 856 aircraft valued at $72 billion over a 20-year period.

“The robust economic growth, increased the demand for air travel both domestically and internationally and the ongoing efforts of the industry to reduce cost has seen Boeing change its projections about the number of aircraft India needs over the next 20 years. The aircraft would be needed for both as replacement and also to meet growth in the market,” Dr Keskar said.

Twin-asile seats

The largest increase in the outlook during 2007 over the previous year has been in the twin-aisle category with Boeing estimating that India would need 173 such aircraft over the next 20 years up from 120 such aircraft predicted in the previous year.

“India is increasingly connecting to the region and the world for which twin aisle aircraft are best suited,” Dr Keskar said.

Later speaking to the media, Dr Keskar announced that in November this year the low-cost airline, SpiceJet would be the launch customer in India for the Boeing 737-900 extended range aircraft.

“The aircraft will provide the airline the opportunity of offering 31 more seats while having to add just one extra cabin crew member from the crew that is currently operating its Boeing fleet,” Dr Keskar said.