The Hindu Business Line : New merged `Air India' will tap market in 2008

FRESH FLIGHT: The Minister for Civil Aviation, Mr Praful Patel, with Mr V Thulasidas, CMD, Air India, at a press conference in the Capital on Tuesday. — Ramesh Sharma

New Delhi May 22 The new airline created through the merger of Air India and Indian will tap the market in 2008, the Minister for Civil Aviation, Mr Praful Patel, said on Tuesday.

"The public offering of the new entity is very much on the cards. In 2008 we should be able to see the National Aviation Company of India Ltd, which is the new company incorporated for the merger of the two airlines, entering the market. Earlier, we decided against entering the market as the sentiments were not good and the advisors felt that individual airlines would not command the price they should," the Minister said after unveiling the logo and livery of the new airline.

The new airline, which is to be called Air India, is to have its registered office in Delhi while the corporate office is to be in Mumbai. The offices for domestic operations as also for most of the strategic business units are to be in Delhi. The Maharaja is to be the mascot for the airline, while the logo is a flying swan with the Konark Chakra placed inside it.

While the aircraft will be ivory in colour, the base will retain the red streak of Air India. Running parallel to each other will be orange and red speed lines from the front door to the back door with Air India running across the tail of the aircraft, officials said.

New aircraft

"The new airline is to induct 25 new aircraft this year including seven Boeing 777 aircraft that would be utilised to launch non-stop flights between Mumbai and New York from August 1.

In addition, 11 aircraft from the Airbus A-320 aircraft family and four Boeing 737-800 aircraft will also be inducted," the Minister announced.

The induction of the new aircraft will allow passengers to enjoy enhanced levels of comfort for both domestic and international flights, Mr Patel said.

"We are working to ensure that passengers have in-flight entertainment systems on domestic flights as well," he said.

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